The provisions of this section apply to the construction, alteration, moving and repair of any fence within the jurisdiction.

1.   Permit Required. Each application for a fence permit shall be submitted prior to the installation of a fence. The application shall be accompanied by a plot plan, in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing the actual dimensions of the lot, the size, shape and location of all existing buildings, location, height and material type of the proposed fence, and such other information as may be necessary to provide for the enforcement of this section. A record of applications and plans shall be kept by the Zoning Officer.

2.   Application Fee. A fee for the fence permit shall be charged. The fee shall be set by the jurisdiction and shall be available at the office of the Clerk.

3.   Review. All applications for fence permits shall be submitted to the Zoning Officer for a ten-day review and approved prior to permit issuance. Each application shall include data necessary to show that the requirements of this section are met.

4.   Expiration. Every fence permit issued by the Zoning Officer under the provisions of this section shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 180 days from the date of such permit, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for period of 180 days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall be first obtained to do so. In order to renew action on a permit after expiration, the permittee shall pay a new full permit fee.

5.   Inspection Required. Upon completion of the work the applicant or owner shall notify the Zoning Officer that the work is completed. A final inspection may be performed to assure compliance with this section.

6.   Height. All fences, retaining walls and hedges located within a front, side or rear yard shall not exceed those found in the following table.

 

 

7.   Location. Fences and hedges shall be located no less than two (2) feet from any lot line, or right-of-way line of a public or private street or alley.

8.   Fence Material.

   A.   Barbed Wire. It is unlawful for any person to erect, construct, keep or maintain any barbed wire fence within the City except when the barbed wire fence is erected, constructed and maintained in compliance with the provisions contained in the Iowa Code and used on property in agricultural use, provided the property has been used for the purpose of enclosing livestock within the preceding twenty-four month period. Barbed wire fences shall be permitted in a commercial or industrial zoning district, provided that the bottom strand of barbed wire shall not be less than six and one-half (6½) feet above grade.

   B.   Electric Fences. It is unlawful for any person to erect construct, keep or maintain any electric fence in any zoning district within the City, except for the enclosure of livestock operations located in an Interim Development district, provided the property on which the livestock operation is located does not adjoin property that is zoned or used for any residential purposes.

   C.   Barbed wire and electric fences shall be prohibited in any zoning district or in conjunction with any use or operation when it is located within five (5) feet of an adjoining residential property, a public sidewalk or a street right-of-way line where a public sidewalk does not exist.

   D.   Metal fence shall consist of a galvanized or vinyl covered chain link material, including all supporting frame posts and rails.

   E.   Wood fence shall consist of a treated or decay resistive material. Posts and supports for the wood fence shall be located on the inside of the fence on the property on which the fence is constructed.

9.   Prohibited Fence Material. The following fences are prohibited, except as provided in this chapter or for permitted agricultural residential gardening uses to protect against rodents, vermin and pests:

   A.   Wooden snow fence;

   B.   Welded wire fence;

   C.   Panel fence;

   D.   Plastic snow/safety fence; and

   E.   Chicken wire.

A snow fence may be erected on a temporary basis, not to exceed six months, to alleviate the adverse effects of drifting snow or to warn and prevent access to an area by unauthorized persons. When erected on a temporary basis to prevent access of unauthorized persons to any area, the snow/safety fence shall be removed within twenty-four hours after the elimination of the reason for which the fence was erected originally.

10.   Installation and Maintenance. All fences shall be constructed in a workmanlike manner with approved materials and installed to withstand wind load of 30 pounds per square foot. All fences shall be maintained and repaired as needed.