§ 8-48. Construction requirements; exceptions.

(a)

Requirements. Fence construction must meet the following requirements:

(1)

The type of fencing erected shall be compatible with the intent of this article and with the character of the area in which said fencing is to be placed.

(2)

All fencing, walls and privacy screens shall be constructed of good quality, durable materials, capable of sustaining longterm wear. The use of raw recycled materials is prohibited. Examples: pallets, broken concrete, tires, stumps.

(3)

All materials, including structural members, must be protected to prevent deterioration. Fences constructed of iron or steel must be protected with at least one ounce per square foot of galvanized coating or equivalent.

(4)

All fencing shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind and snow loads common to the area. Support posts must be at least two feet in the ground.

(5)

All fencing shall be installed to manufacturer's specifications which, in all instances, shall meet or exceed state construction code requirements.

(6)

If the design of the fence or wall is such that the fencing material is not uniformly distributed on each side of the support posts, then the posts must be located on the inside of the fence.

(7)

No fence, wall or other barrier or construction (i.e., railroad ties, steps, etc.) shall be located within two feet of any sidewalk, alley or street, and a minimum of one foot from any public right-of-way; provided, however, paving with a height no greater than the abutting public way may be placed within the two-foot setback.

(8)

No fence, wall or other barrier or construction erected on a corner shall serve as an obstruction to vision above a height of 30 inches from the established street grades within the triangular area formed at the intersection of any street right-of-way lines, by a straight line drawn between said right-of-way lines, at a distance along each line of 25 feet from their point of intersection, except that in the interests of public safety, corner clearance requirements may be made more restrictive upon a recommendation of the city police department.

(9)

All fencing shall be located entirely on the private parcel on which the fence is to be erected at a minimum distance of two inches from adjacent property lines, and shall not overhang any abutting property; provided, however, said wall or fence may be located directly on the property line if the abutting property owners consent, in writing, to placement of the fence on said line.

(10)

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, there shall be no erection of any fence or other barrier having barbed wire, spikes, barbs or other dangerous projections, nor shall any electrical current be charged through any fence whatsoever.

(b)

Exceptions. Within commercial and industrial (zoned) districts, it shall be permissible to erect fencing with barbed wire or other similar devices, provided:

(1)

The barbed wire shall be no less than a minimum of six feet above the ground level.

(2)

The number of strands shall be limited to three and shall be located on arms or supports projecting over the subject private property.

(3)

No part of the fence shall project into or over public or neighbor's private property.

(4)

Residential front yard or side (street) yard fences may have pointed tops when at least four feet in height.

(Prior Code, § 8.35; Ord. No. 90-10, 5-21-1990; Ord. No. 98-22, 11-2-1998; Ord. No. 99-10, 6-21-1999)