Editor's Note — Ordinance no. 3001 §1, adopted December
23, 2008, repealed title IV in its entirety. See editor's note at
beginning of title IV.
[Ord. No. 3001 §1, 12-23-2008]
This Chapter contains the regulations concerning fences, fencing
and fencing materials installed, constructed and erected within the
City of Fenton. These regulations may be supplemented and qualified
by additional general regulations appearing elsewhere in this Title
which are incorporated as part of this Chapter by reference.
[Ord. No. 3001 §1, 12-23-2008]
A.
Fencing
on any property within the City shall be regulated as follows:
1.
All
fencing shall be constructed with the structural or supporting members
facing toward the area to be enclosed or in such a manner as to present
the least conspicuous view of these members to the public.
2.
All
fencing for security or property demarcation shall be no greater than
six (6) feet in overall height. Fencing in excess of six (6) feet
may be allowed after giving due consideration for the public safety,
health and welfare of the City by the Director, or as otherwise provided
for within this Chapter.
3.
All
fencing used for security or property demarcation shall be on or inside
the rear and side property lines and shall not extend towards the
street beyond the front of the building, except as otherwise provided
for within this Chapter. For these purposes, the front of the building
is considered the side of the building facing towards the street.
On corner lots, the front shall be where the entrances to the building
are located.
4.
Fencing
four (4) feet or less in height may be considered by the Director
beyond the front line of the main building in the front setback area
if it is needed for safety concerns related to pools, water parks,
retaining wall, detention basins, etc.
5.
No fence
shall be constructed on any portion of the lot within thirty (30)
feet of the intersection of two (2) or more streets.
6.
Fences
must be kept in good repair and properly preserved. The property owner
shall repair, paint, remove or otherwise attend to any fence if it
becomes unsightly or a menace to public health, safety and welfare.
The Director is hereby empowered to issue notices to property owners
to comply with this Section. Owners will be given a reasonable time
to comply with this Section but not to exceed forty-five (45) days
except that a longer period may be given at the discretion of the
Director if such compliance would cause an undue hardship.
7.
Allowable
materials for fencing, except where otherwise provided for in this
Title, may include wood, plastic or other synthetic materials, woven
fabric, chain-link or masonry elements.
8.
The
replacement of existing damaged fencing, including the height, material
and location of original construction, shall not be prohibited by
any provision within this Chapter.
B.
Fencing
on any property used for commercial, industrial or multi-family residential
purposes shall further be regulated as follows:
1.
Blind
fencing for outdoor storage and storage containers, where required
within this Title, may exceed six (6) feet in overall height to block
and shield visibility of outdoor storage and storage containers from
the street or the property immediately adjacent to the subject site.
The materials used for blind fencing shall be of high durability,
quality and require low maintenance. Any chain-link fencing with slats
used to screen outdoor storage and storage containers must be vinyl-coated
and be of an earth-tone color.
2.
Where
chain-link fencing is needed to enclose the activities of an accessory
use so as to protect participants and the public, it shall be vinyl-coated
and the height of the fencing shall not exceed ten (10) feet so long
as the accessory use does not take up more than thirty-five percent
(35%) of the front yard area. Netting suspended beyond the height
of the fence enclosing the activity in order to protect the safety
to the traveling public from recreational activities next to roadways
such as volleyball courts, golf courses, driving ranges, baseball
diamonds, soccer fields, tennis courts and athletic/fitness centers
will be allowed as permitted in the appropriate zone districts.
3.
Blind
fencing or screening of brick or concrete block must be installed
around dumpster areas where they are visible from the street. In addition,
gates for dumpster areas must provide screening, be constructed of
wood, vinyl or vinyl-coated chain-link fencing with slats and should
be oriented away from direct view from the street if possible. Where
dumpster areas are not visible from the street, non-brick or non-block
materials including vinyl-coated chain-link fencing with slats may
be used.
4.
Fencing
may extend beyond the front of the building in the "IP-1" Industrial
Park Zoning District where the Director deems it necessary for the
operation of business.
C.
Permit Required. Prior to construction, all fencing and
fencing materials will be reviewed and approved by the Director.