A.

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to regulate the materials, location, height, and maintenance of fencing, landscaping walls, and decorative posts in order to prevent the creation of nuisances and to promote the general welfare of the public.

B.

Applicability. The requirements of this section apply to all permanent fencing, landscape walls, and decorative posts equal to or exceeding four feet in height.

C.

Standards.

(1)

Traffic visibility. All fences and walls must comply with the vision clearance requirements of subsection 520-87.K.

(2)

Access. No fence shall be considered a hardship to access a rear yard, for purposes of storage of vehicles or other purposes in this chapter.

(3)

Fences in all residential zoning districts, and in any RR or PR District.

(a)

Street yard fences. The maximum height of each fence or wall shall be four feet within the front yard and six feet within any side or rear yard where the associated lot line abuts a public street. In such instances, fences and walls shall be set back a minimum of two feet from the property line abutting the public street.

(b)

Interior side and rear yard fences. The maximum height of each fence or wall in the interior side and interior rear yard shall be six feet, and any such fence or wall may be installed up to the property line.

(4)

Fences within all nonresidential and mixed-use districts.

(a)

Fences and walls not exceeding ten feet in height are permitted. Such fence or wall shall be set back a minimum of two feet from any front or streetside property line.

(b)

Fences, walls, or landscaping may be required for screening particular land uses per article IV and subsection 520-79.C(4).

(5)

Garden fences and fences in rural and open space districts. Garden fences, and fencing within rural and open space districts, shall be exempt from the requirements of this section, except that all front and streetside yard fences shall adhere to the front yard fence requirements for residential districts. Such fences shall not require a zoning or building permit, except for garden fences that are closer than two feet from any property line.

(6)

Temporary fences. Fences erected for the protection of plantings or 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. Such fences shall comply with any setback requirements set forth in this section. The issuance of a permit shall not be necessary for temporary fences. Temporary fences may be installed and maintained for a period not exceeding the term of construction, or 180 days if not associated with a construction project.

(7)

Construction and maintenance. All fences, landscape walls, or decorative posts shall be constructed and maintained in a structurally sound and attractive manner per the manufacturer's instructions. Living hedges must be trimmed so that all limbs remain entirely within the property. Each fence shall be built and maintained with a single material and a single color for its full length.

(8)

Prohibited fences.

(a)

The use of a fence that delivers an electric shock is prohibited, except for in rural and open space districts.

(b)

Fences within and adjacent to any residential zoning district may not be composed of stranded wire, exposed/reflective metal, or corrugated metal.

(c)

A snow fence shall be permitted in all districts when not exceeding four feet in height. Snow fences or other fences designed for temporary use shall not be used for a period exceeding 30 days between May 1 and October 1 of each year. No privately owned snow fence shall extend beyond the highway right-of-way line.

(Ord. No. 16-07, 6-20-2016)