Runnemede City Zoning Code
§ 395-15
Fences, hedges and walls.
[Amended 10-4-1994 by Ord. No. 94-8; 9-5-2000 by Ord. No. 00-11]
A.
Permitted fences, hedges, and walls. Fences, hedges and/or walls may be erected, altered or reconstructed in any district subject to the following regulations and limitations:
(1)
To a height of eight feet for municipal government use and in the Special Economic Development (SED) District.
(2)
To a height of six feet in any other district.
(3)
Barbed wire, razor wire or other electrified, sharp or hazardous points are prohibited on the top or on any other portion of a fence.
(4)
No person shall erect any fence with a height greater than six feet without first obtaining a permit from the Construction Code Official.
[Amended 12-30-2013 by Ord. No. 13-22]
(5)
No person shall erect a fence with a height of six feet or less without first obtaining a permit from the Zoning Officer. Any person wishing to erect a fence of six feet or less shall be required to submit a survey with their zoning application. Fences placed adjacent to the sidewalk shall be installed no closer than two feet from the edge of the sidewalk. A zoning permit shall be required whether a fence is installed in a new location or replacing an existing fence. Replacing an existing fence shall be defined as replacing more than 25% of an existing fence within any twelve-month period. The costs of the application and zoning permit shall total $65.
[Added 12-30-2013 by Ord. No. 13-22; amended 10-24-2017 by Ord. No. 17-15]
(6)
No person shall install any concrete driveway, private sidewalk, steps, porch, patio, or any other flat concrete work not required to obtain a permit under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code without first obtaining a permit from the Zoning Officer. A permit is required whether the installation is at a new location or replacing an existing installation. The cost of the application and permit for the installation of a private sidewalk and steps shall total $25. The cost of the application and permit for the installation of a porch, patio, or any other flat concrete work not required to obtain a permit under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code shall total $50.
[Added 12-30-2013 by Ord. No. 13-22]
B.
Front yard fences are those which project past the required or existing front yard line of the building as determined by the Construction Code Official. These fences shall not exceed 48 inches in height and shall be of chain link or other see-through construction. Stockade-type fences are not permitted in any front yard area.
C.
Fences and hedges at intersecting streets. A corner lot shall comply with fence regulations for front yard areas outlined in Subsection B above, on each property line and yard adjacent to a street.
D.
Placement of fence. A fence in any district shall have its most pleasant or decorative side facing the adjacent lot. The pleasant or decorative side of a fence may face an applicant's yard where such fence will be adjacent to a preexisting opaque fence or screening of the same height or higher on the adjoining property.
E.
Vehicular vision. The owner or tenants of land shall keep all shrubbery, hedges and other plant life, existing within 10 feet of any roadway and within 25 feet of the intersection of two roadways, cut to a height of not more than 2 1/2 feet where it shall be necessary and expedient for the preservation of the public safety. If such violation occurs, the owner or tenant shall be given written notice advising that cutting must be done within 10 days of notice. If the owner or tenant fails to cut the same within the time required, the Borough may cut such shrubbery, hedges or plant life and so shall certify same. Such cutting costs shall be charged against the lands of the owner and become a lien upon such lands and shall be assessed and levied upon the lands as other taxes, with the same rights of collection and enforcement as in the collection of taxes.
F.
Erection within property lines; encroachment. All fences, hedges, walls, shrubbery or other structures must be erected within the property lines, and no fence, hedge, wall, shrubbery or other structure, shall be erected so as to encroach upon a public right-of-way.
G.
Maintenance. All fences, hedges, walls, shrubbery or other structures shall be maintained in a safe, sound and upright condition.
H.
Unsafe fences and walls. If the Construction Code Official, upon inspection, determines that any fence, wall or other structure, or any portion thereof, is not being maintained in a safe, sound or upright condition, he shall notify the owner of his findings in writing, stating briefly the reasons for such findings, and order such fence, wall, other structure, or portion thereof, repaired or removed within seven days of the date of the written notice.