Blue Mounds Village
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Fences and Natural Barriers
§ 385-32 Permit required.
No traditional fence, whether a boundary, security or protective fence, shall be erected in the Village until a permit for the same has been granted by the Zoning Administrator under § 385-51 of this chapter. Specifications or a design sketch shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for his or her approval. A permit fee, as required under Chapter 110, Building Construction, Article I, of the Village Code, shall accompany the application for permit.
§ 385-33 Residential fences.
Fences (whether traditional or decorative) and natural barriers in residential zoning districts (single-family, two-family and/or multiple-family) shall be erected or planted in accordance with the following requirements:
A.
General provisions for traditional fences, decorative fences and natural barriers.
(1)
Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DECORATIVE FENCE
Includes a barrier made of natural materials such as wood, stone or permanent rigid vinyl fencing which is principally for decoration rather than to enclose property. Decorative fences are at least 50% open from a straight-on view. Decorative fences shall not exceed 42 inches in height as measured from the ground.
NATURAL BARRIER
Includes hedges, shrubbery and trees. Decorative plants such as hosta, petunias, and others are not "natural barriers."
TRADITIONAL FENCE
Includes boundary, protective and security fences.
(2)
No fencing (traditional fences or decorative fences) shall be constructed less than six inches from the property line. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no fencing shall be constructed any closer than 48 inches from any structures on adjacent, residential property.
(3)
No natural barrier shall be planted less than 18 inches from the property line.
(4)
No fencing or natural barriers shall be allowed in the right-of-way or easement.
(5)
No fencing or natural barriers shall be erected or planted on any corner lot less than two feet from the street right-of-way line or in a location where it unreasonably restricts sight-line vision, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
(6)
Building permits are required for traditional fences. Building permits are not required for decorative fences or natural barriers.
B.
Special requirements for traditional fences.
(1)
Fences in rear yards and side yards up to the front building setback lines (excluding street yards) shall not exceed six feet in height as measured from the ground.
(2)
Fences on side yards that extend beyond the front building setback lines shall be no higher than 42 inches as measured from the ground, and shall not extend beyond the setback required for front yard fences.
(3)
Fences in front yards shall be no higher than 42 inches as measured from the ground, and shall be set back 12 feet from the edge of the curb or asphalt, whichever is greater. Wire, chain link, cyclone-type fencing and similar materials are prohibited.
C.
Miscellaneous exceptions.
(1)
The general restrictions on fencing shall not apply to temporary fences, except as set forth herein. Fences erected for the temporary protection of plantings, to warn of construction hazards or for similar purposes, shall be clearly visible or marked with colored streamers or other such warning devices at four-foot intervals. Temporary fences shall comply with the setback requirements set forth in this section. Temporary fences shall not remain erected for more than 45 days, unless a special exception has been obtained from the Zoning Administrator.
(2)
The general restrictions on fencing shall not apply to snow fencing, which shall be permitted during the snow emergency/parking period which extends from November 15 to April 15.
§ 385-34 Commercial and industrial fences.
All requirements of § 385-33 of this chapter shall apply to commercial and industrial zoning districts, except that the Village Board may, by resolution, grant a conditional use permit for security or privacy fences which exceed six feet in height but not more than eight feet in height.
§ 385-35 Agricultural fences.
Barbed wire and electrical fencing are allowed in A-1 zoning districts.
§ 385-36 Fences to be repaired.
All fences and natural barriers shall be maintained and kept safe and in a state of good repair. The finished side or decorative side of a fence shall face adjoining property.
§ 385-37 Prohibited fences.
A.
No fence shall be constructed or maintained in a dangerous condition, or which conducts electricity or is designed to electrically shock or which uses barbed wire except in agricultural districts or where a conditional use permit is granted in industrial or commercial districts.
B.
No one shall alter the ground elevation of any yard in order to circumvent the spirit or intent of the restrictions set forth in §§ 385-32 to 385-37.
§ 385-38 Nonconforming fences.
All valid, nonconforming fences existing on the effective date of this chapter (May 8, 1991), or any amendment of this chapter, may be maintained, but any alteration, modification or improvement of such fence shall comply with this chapter.