Placement of Fence
- A development permit is required before building a fence.
- Fences may be placed on the property line. It is the property owner’s responsibility to determine exactly where the property line is located to avoid conflict with neighboring properties.
- The City can provide you with the dimensions of your property. However, a survey of the property is the only way to determine the precise location of property lines.
- Fences cannot be located within the public right-of-way.
- No fences are permitted within the waterfront setback area (30 feet from the ordinary high-water mark).
- Fences cannot be placed parallel to the waterfront.
- Fences placed on waterfront lots are limited to three (3) feet in waterfront yards.
Corner Lots
- Fences may not block the ‘triangle of vision’ for driveways or street corners. The triangle of vision is considered to be 25 feet back from the primary and secondary front property line.
- Corner lots may have a six (6) foot tall fence in the secondary front yard (along the street that does not contain the main entrance to the home), as long as clear vision is maintained.
Special Notes
- Fences in the front yard that have a gate are required to install the gate so that it does not open outward into the sidewalk.
- Fence screening materials such as woven slats, mesh, or other materials are prohibited.
- Fences cannot be installed on a vacant property or one without a house.
- It is recommended that fences along alleys have a gate.
- Barbed wire fencing is prohibited.
- For stockade fencing, it is required that the finished side faces outward. This prevents others from climbing into your yard and promotes good relationships between neighbors.
Stockade Fence Panel (Unfinished Side)
Types of Fencing
- Picket
- Wrought Iron
- Split Rail
- Chain Link
- Stockade
- Vinyl Panel
- Masonry Wall
Height Requirements
- A fence may be up to six (6) feet in height behind the front building line of the house.
- Solid fencing cannot be higher than three (3) feet in the front yard. Open fencing cannot be higher than four (4) feet.
Example Site Plan
More information can be found in the Zoning Ordinance – Fencing Section 2333