Fences
Fences are artificially constructed barriers intending protection, screening, or boundary. Refer to Section 8.2 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) for standards and diagrams on “Landscaping, Buffering, and Screening.”
What materials can you use?
1) Fences or walls shall be constructed of wood, stone, brick, decorative concrete block, wrought iron, (or products created to resemble these materials), or a combination of any of these materials. Chain link fencing is allowed provided it meets the standards listed below.
2) All fencing shall be finished on the side facing a public right-of-way or adjacent properties.
3) Materials such as, but not limited to, plywood, particleboard, sheet metal, concrete slabs, or concrete barriers shall not be used for fencing or for walls.
4) Chain link fencing shall be coated in black, brown, or dark green vinyl or equivalent and shall not utilize slats. In residential zoning districts, chain link fencing is only allowed in the side and/or rear yards of individual lots and is not allowed to be used by the developer of a subdivision for buffering and screening.
5) Barbed wire and similar fence materials may only be used in conjunction with a permitted agricultural use or in conjunction with the permitted keeping of horses or livestock. Up to 2 feet of barbed wire can be erected on top of another fence type as a safety function for industrial and utility uses.
What are the size requirements for a fence?
1) No freestanding fence or wall shall exceed seven feet in height including piers, posts and finials. Non-residential fences or walls may be higher for security and/or screening purposes with approval by the Planning Director, after taking into account topography, unique site conditions, and unique safety, security, and screening requirements of the property owner.
2) Fences and walls including piers, posts, and finals in front yards shall not exceed 48 inches in height.
3) Fences and walls shall be allowed in the controlled and limited access highway buffer, throughfare buffer, and streetfront buffer provided that they meet the requirements ofSection 8.2.7(F), “Fences in Required Buffers,” and the height requirements of Section 8.2.7(B)(1) and (2).
How far must my fence be from my property line?
Your fence can be placed up to, but not on or over your property line. It is recommended that you leave some room between your property line and your fence for maintenance purposes.
How can I use a fence to separate my property from a right-of-way?
Where non-residential fencing or walls will abut a public right-of-way, it shall be set back at least 4 feet from the right-of-way and a minimum of 3 small evergreen shrubs spaced every 20 feet shall be planted on the side of the fence or wall facing the surrounding rights-of-way, walks, parks, trails, or other public use properties. Fencing or walls must provide visual interest through the use of posts and finials.
Are there extra requirements for a fence abutting a right-of-way?
Where a residential fencing or wall will abut a major or minor thoroughfare, it must provide visual interest through changes in fence setbacks or materials, or through the use of decorative posts with finials, or through the use of plants spaced every 20 feet on the side of the fence or wall facing the public throughfare. Plantings shall not be planted within the public right-of-way.
Can I construct a fence in a buffer?
1) Fences/walls shall be permitted in buffers only where they are planned as an integral part of the buffer. Fences/walls are not allowed in Riparian Buffers per Sec. 6.1.11, except for fences/walls installed by the Town for utility protection. Where there is existing vegetation, the installation of the fence/wall must be done in such a manner as to protect significant vegetation, such as, but not limited to, being hand built and winding around trees. It is not the intent of this section to allow the piecemeal installation of fences/walls in buffers or the installation of private fences/walls that result in completely enclosing sections of buffer inside of a fence/wall or fences/walls.
2) Fences shall supplement and not replace the existing and/or required plantings. Fences shall be set back from the edge of the buffer so that the buffer plantings are located on both sides of the fence, with a minimum of four feet from public rights-of-way. Fences shall be of uniform design throughout the buffer. The property owners association or other entity controlling the buffer shall maintain fences. Privately owned and/or installed fences are not permitted in the buffers except where designed and approved as part of the overall buffer.