Long Hill Township City Zoning Code
§ LU-154.1
Fences, Walls and Hedges.
[Ord. No. 102-02 § 1; Ord. No. 194-06 § 12; amended 4-23-2025 by Ord. No. 565-25]
a.
All permitted fences shall be situated on a lot in such a manner that the finished side of the fence shall face adjacent properties. No fence shall be erected of barbed wire, topped with metal spikes, nor constructed of any material or in any manner which may be dangerous to persons or animals, except that these provisions shall not apply to farms.
b.
Construction permits shall be required for i) fences that exceed six (6) feet in height, and ii) fences of any height surrounding public or private swimming pools, conforming with the height limits for same as set forth in this section.
c.
No fence, wall or hedge shall be permitted to adversely affect visibility at either street or driveway intersections within the space defined as a sight triangle.
d.
On any lot in any zone, no fence, wall or hedge shall be erected or altered so that said fence, wall or hedge shall be over four feet in height in front yard areas and eight feet in height in-side and rear yard areas, with the following provisions and exceptions:
1.
Living hedges may grow to an unlimited height in-side and rear yard areas provided no portion of the hedge shall be permitted to encroach over adjacent property lines.
2.
A dog run area may have fencing a maximum of six feet in height provided such area is located in rear yard areas only and is set back from any lot line at least 15 feet.
3.
A private residential swimming pool shall be surrounded by a fence that conforms with the Uniform Construction Code, with a self-latching gate.
4.
A tennis court area. located in rear yard areas only, may be surrounded by a fence a maximum of 12 feet in height; said fence to be set back from any lot line the distance required for accessory buildings in the applicable zoning district.
5.
Fences located in the front yard areas that abut a paper street may exceed four feet in height with a maximum height of six feet. provided there are no plans to convert said paper street to a road improved to Township standards. Where fences are located on corner lots, the height of said fence abutting a paper street shall not exceed four feet in height forward of the front building line facing a street improved to Township standards. The Township Engineer shall determine the status of the paper street for the purpose of administering this section and clarifying whether there are plans to convert said paper street to a road improved to Township standards.
e.
The following regulations apply to retaining walls: Retaining wall shall mean a structure that is constructed between lands of different elevations to stabilize the surfaces. prevent erosion. and/or protect structures:
1.
Retaining walls shall be permitted in front, side and rear yards.
2.
Construction permits shall be required for new or substantial replacement of retaining walls over three feet high conforming with the height limits for same as set forth in this section.
3.
Retaining walls shall not exceed four feet in height in the front yard or six feet in height in the side and rear yards. In the event a guard rail or other restraining device is provided at the top of the wall, the wall height shall be measured to the top of said restraining device. For purposes of administering this subsection, terraced retaining walls involving more than one section of wall above or below each other shall be construed as one wall unless the base of the upper wall is separated from the face of the lower wall by at least four feet, measured horizontally.
4.
In the event a retaining wall is permitted by variance to exceed four feet in height in the front yard or six feet in height in the side and rear yards, the approving authority granting the variance may require an appropriate guard rail or other restraining device in order to protect persons from falling off the edge of the wall.
5.
Retaining walls which may present a danger or hazard to the public welfare. including but not limited to retaining walls which are electrified, contain broken glass, razor wire or barbed wire. or other sharp edges, are prohibited.
6.
Approval by the Township Engineer shall be required for the erection. relocation, alteration or other construction involving any retaining wall located within a street right-of-way, public drainage or sewer easement or other public land or easement under the control or jurisdiction of the Township.