Fences shall not be governed by setback requirements for accessory structures.

No solid fence shall be erected in a required front yard area in any zone district in the Borough of Middlesex. However, on a corner lot or a through lot, only the street frontage to which the front entrance is oriented shall be considered a front yard area. The remaining yard area abutting a street may be fenced with a solid fence not exceeding six feet in height, but no fence may be erected in any portion of the Borough's right-of-way, and all fences must be located on or within the boundary line. This subsection shall not preclude a property owner from replacing an existing side yard fence, although the existing side yard fence may be constructed in the Borough's right-of-way. For purposes of this section, a "solid fence" shall be defined as a fence in which less than 50% of the area is open.

Open fences not exceeding four feet in height may be erected in a required front yard area in a residential district. Open or solid fences not exceeding six feet in height may be erected in a required side or rear yard area in a residential district. However, where a residential use abuts a nonresidential use, said fence may extend eight feet in height. Open or solid fences erected in a required side yard may not be erected beyond the front yard setback line.

Open fences not exceeding eight feet in height may be erected in the required front yard area of a nonresidential use. Open or solid fences not exceeding eight feet in height may be erected in a required side or rear yard area in a nonresidential use. Solid fences erected in a required side yard may not extend beyond the front yard setback line.

All pools, except for those pools equipped with fences above the top level of the pool, shall be surrounded entirely by a fence between four feet and six feet in height. However, one side of the dwelling may serve as part of the enclosure. Solid fences may be erected, provided that the dwelling serves as part of the enclosure in such a manner so as to provide visibility to the pools.

The side of the fence that shall face the exterior property boundary shall be finished. The unfinished side of a fence has all the support columns, posts, beams, brackets and/or hardware exposed. In the event of two-sided fences, where both sides of the fence are identical in appearance, the columns and posts shall be installed between each fence section. In the event a fence is attached to a column or post in a manner so as to allow that three sides of the column or post (or more than 25%) are visible, then this installation shall be deemed to have only one finished side.

All fences shall be maintained in a safe, sound and upright condition.

No fence or wall over two feet in height shall be permitted on a corner lot within a designated sight triangle. No solid fence or wall shall be permitted within a designated sight triangle.

Electrically charged fences are specifically prohibited in all districts. However, barbed wire or similar fences may be permitted in CLW and IND Zones, provided that said fence is not located within a required front yard area, and further provided that the barbed wire is not located below a height of eight feet.

All yard areas not occupied by parking areas shall be graded and planted with grass seed or sod and such shrubbery and trees as determined by the Board. The entire area shall be attractively maintained and kept free of all debris and rubbish.

The minimum required width of a required buffer area varies based upon the nonresidential district in which the proposed use is located. Automobile overhangs shall not be considered required buffer area. Within all required buffer areas, a solid and continuous landscape screen shall be planted and maintained. Said landscaping shall consist of lawn, massed evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs of such species and density as will provide, within two growing seasons, a solid and continuous screen throughout the full course of the year.

In determining if the height of a required buffer meets the requirements of this chapter, the buffer height shall be measured in relation to the elevation of the adjacent land or structure to be buffered. In such cases where the ground elevation at the point where the buffer is to be installed is less than the elevation of the adjacent property or structure to be buffered, the required height of the screen shall be increased in an amount equal to the difference in elevation. In the event that the ground elevation at the point where the buffer is to be installed is greater than that at the adjacent property to be buffered, the required height may be reduced in an amount equal to said difference in elevation, provided that in no case shall the required height be reduced to less than four feet.

Where an outside off-street parking area for four or more vehicles, or a loading and unloading area, abuts a residential zone or a lot which was developed for residential use prior to initiation of the nonresidential use on the subject property, a buffer strip, in accordance with applicable buffer requirements of this chapter, shall be provided between the parking area and the adjoining property. Said buffer shall be a minimum of six feet in height at the time of planting. This required buffer shall also be required for outside parking areas for four or more cars which serve single-family dwellings.

All buffers and landscaped areas shall be protected from adjacent parking areas by either curbs or concrete, metal or wood bumpers at least six inches in height and securely anchored into the ground.