FAQs
Fences
Only fences in excess of seven (7) feet in height require a building permit.
Residential Standards:
1. Fences on corner lots. Any fence or retaining wall, constructed upon or adjacent to any property line that abuts two or more intersecting streets, shall not exceed 30 inches in height within the clear vision area.
2. Fences in a required front yard. The height of a fence or retaining wall in a required front yard shall not exceed 4 ft.
3. Fences - side and rear yards abutting streets. The height of a fence or retaining wall in a required side or rear yard abutting a public right-of-way shall not exceed 6 ft.
4. Fences - side and rear yards abutting other lots. The height of a fence or retaining wall in a required side or rear yard abutting other lots shall not exceed 8 ft.
5. Sight Obscuring Hedges. Trees or shrubs that form a sight-obscuring hedge shall comply with the same height requirement as a fence within the clear vision area. Deciduous trees separated by at least 15 ft. may grow to any height.
6. Front Yard Fences for Existing Dwellings on Major Arterials. The height of a fence in a required front yard for an existing dwelling (constructed prior to July 1, 1996) facing a major arterial shall not exceed a height of 6 ft. outside the clear vision area.
7. Fences on Through Lots. Gates are required in rear-yard fences on through-lots since it remains the property owners’ responsibility to maintain the area from the curb or edge of pavement to a proposed fence.
Commercial/Industrial Standards:
1. Fences on corner lots. Any fence or retaining wall, constructed upon or adjacent to any property line that abuts two or more intersecting streets, shall not exceed 30 inches in height within the clear vision area.
2. Fences in a required front yard. The height of a fence or retaining wall in a required front yard shall not exceed 4 ft.
3. Fences - Side and Rear Yards. The height of a fence or retaining wall in a required side street, side or rear yard or adjacent to a side or rear property line shall not exceed 8 ft.
4. Sight Obscuring Hedges. Trees or shrubs that form a sight-obscuring hedge shall comply with the same height requirement as a fence within the clear vision area. Deciduous trees separated by at least 15 ft. may grow to any height.
Any recreational court may be enclosed by a wire fence not exceeding 12 ft. in height provided that no part of the court fence is within 20 ft. of any street.
A swimming pool, hot tub or other man-made outside body of water, which has a depth greater than 18 inches shall be enclosed with a fence not less than 4 ft. and not more than 8 ft. in height. If located on or surrounded by a deck, the deck shall be enclosed with a railing with a height of not less than 4 feet and not more than 8 feet. The fence or railing shall not have any openings, holes or gaps larger than three inches square, except for doors or gates. Any gate shall be equipped with a selfclosing, self-latching device. A dwelling unit and/or accessory building may form part of the enclosure.
Exception: This regulation does not apply to wetland areas and storm water detention facilities. However, fencing requirements may be imposed through the design review process.
Barbed wire fencing may be permitted for agricultural, community service, commercial or industrial uses when the wire is employed on the top of any other type of fencing, and when the barbed wire is a minimum of 6 ft. above the finished ground surface, and does not extend over a public way. The maximum height shall not exceed 8 ft.
No electrically charged or sharp-pointed fencing such as razor wire (other than barbed wire fencing) shall be constructed or maintained within the city limits.
