Troy City Zoning Code

No permit shall be required for the erection, installation or alteration of any fence within the City limits.

No fence, wall, shrub or hedge shall be constructed to exceed six (6) feet in height except as specifically provided as otherwise in this Chapter.

No person shall erect or cause to be erected any electrically charged fence.

All fencing must be maintained in good condition at all times.

A fence of a minimum height of four (4) feet shall be erected around swimming pools as to provide a barrier or enclosure of the pool.

No barbed wire or cloth fencing is permitted in any district.

Any person who erects, builds or constructs or contracts with another to erect, build or construct any fence or privacy screen upon property which said person owns, leases or rents shall be responsible for the repair, upkeep and maintenance of the fence or privacy screen and any area adjacent thereto.

Any person who owns property upon which a fence or privacy screen has been constructed by previous owner shall be responsible for the care, upkeep and maintenance of the fence or privacy screen. If a previously constructed fence is located upon a lot line, each successive owner of the fence or privacy screen shall be responsible for its care, upkeep and maintenance. If ownership of the fence located upon a lot line is joint or cannot be determined, then each party owning property adjacent to the fence shall be responsible for the care, upkeep and maintenance of the fence facing their property. For the purpose of this Subsection, the owner of a fence shall be deemed to be any person, persons or their successors who purchase or otherwise acquire the property from the person who originally erected or caused a fence to be erected thereon.

Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the definitions set forth in this Subsection.

Construction Materials And Review Of Chain Link Fences. Fences in Residential Districts shall be constructed of new wood or vinyl materials. No repurposed or reclaimed materials shall be used. Chain link fences four (4) feet or less in height are permitted, however, chain link fences greater than four (4) feet in height require review and approval by the City Building Official. If the City Building Official denies a chain link fence, the lot owner may request a review for approval by the Board of Aldermen. No razor wire or barbed wire fence shall be allowed in Residential Districts.

Fence Height Restriction. Fences in Residential Districts shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.

Placement Of Fencing. No fence shall extend beyond the front yard (front building line), nor shall any fence extend beyond the side yard (side property line) and rear yard (rear property line).

Fencing At Intersections Of Streets/Alleys. To facilitate ease of viewing at an intersection, fences in Residential Districts where they adjoin a public street or alley shall be constructed in a manner to provide at least a forty-five degrees (45°) angle on the fencing between the intersection of the street/alley with the intersecting street/alley (i.e., a sight triangle). The angle shall begin twenty-five (25) feet from the street/alley on any side yard or rear yard adjoining the intersection and shall complete the connection of the fence on the lot/property. See image below for guidance:

Fences Cannot Block Public Access To Sidewalks. Fences in Residential Districts shall not block, in any way, public access to any sidewalk which is in place at the time of installation.

Fences Cannot Block Right-Of-Way. Fences shall not block, in any way, any right-of-way owned or held by the City, State, or other right-of-way owner. The term right-of-way shall not apply to utility lines which run along the side yard or rear yard of a lot/property, provided that a fence placed is readily able to be removed to allow for utility provider access to any easement or right-of-way to install, maintain, or operate utilities.

Maintenance Of Fencing Or Removal Of Fencing. The owner of a property or lot in a Residential District shall be responsible for maintaining any fence in place, in compliance with Chapter 405, Article XII, Fencing Regulations, and to remove any fence if it becomes unmaintained, unsightly, or a menace to the public safety, health and welfare.

Application Of Rules To Previously Installed Fences. Any fence installed before the enacting date of this Section shall be allowed if the fence was installed in compliance with the regulations of the City in effect at the time of the installation. Any fence installed, including if a previously allowed fence is removed and a new fence installed, shall comply with the regulations of this Section currently in place at the time of installation.

Fences higher than six (6) feet may be permitted for security and/or screening purposes. Barbed wire or razor wire shall be permitted only if the lowest strand is at least seven (7) feet above grade, and when only used for security purposes in addition to a regular fence.

Fences shall not extend beyond the front building line, unless otherwise approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

When a fence is constructed to comply with screening requirements, all fencing regulations regarding maintenance, materials and height shall apply.