Exciting enhancements are coming soon to eCode360! Learn more 🡪
City of Oconto Falls, WI
Oconto County
By using eCode360 you agree to be legally bound by the Terms of Use. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use, please do not use eCode360.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (3) Index
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Oconto Falls 6-8-1999 by Ord. No. 99-010 (Ch. 159). Amendments noted where applicable.]
For the purpose of this chapter, "fence" is herein defined as an enclosed barrier consisting of vegetation, wood, stone, metal, plastic, or other man-made material intended to prevent ingress or egress. For the purpose of this chapter, the term "fence" shall include plantings, such as hedges and shrubbery. No fence shall be constructed of unsightly or dangerous materials which would constitute a nuisance. Also each fence shall be constructed with the good side facing the adjoining property.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
Fences shall be categorized into five classifications:
A. 
Boundary fence. A fence placed on or within three feet of the property line of adjacent properties.
B. 
Protective fence. A fence constructed to enclose a hazard to the public health, safety and welfare.
C. 
Architectural or aesthetic fence. A fence constructed to enhance the appearance of the structure or the landscape.
D. 
Hedge. A row of bushes or small trees planted close together which may form a barrier, enclosure or boundary.
E. 
Picket fence. A fence having a pointed post, stake, pale or peg placed vertically with the point or sharp part pointing upward to form a part of the fence.
A. 
Location. A fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery may be erected, placed, maintained or grown along a lot line on residentially zoned property or adjacent thereto to a height not exceeding six feet above the ground level, except that no such fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery which is located in a required front or corner side yard shall exceed a height of 2 1/2 feet. Where such lot line is adjacent to a nonresidentially zoned property, there shall be an eight-foot limit in the height of a fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery along such lot line.
B. 
Height. No fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery shall be erected, placed, maintained or grown along a lot line on any nonresidentially zoned property, adjacent to a residentially zoned property, to a height exceeding eight feet.
C. 
Vision triangle. In any residence district, no fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery shall be erected, constructed, maintained or grown to a height exceeding 2 1/2 feet above the street grade nearest thereto, within the vision clearance triangle of an intersection of streets or of street lines projected.
D. 
Survey required. Fences placed near a lot line in any zoned area shall have proof of property division by known corner stakes or plat of survey.
Fences may be constructed alongside lot lines but shall not extend into the front setback area, except that fences may extend into the front yard area only to the height of 2 1/2 feet. A rear yard setback of four feet shall be required at all alleyways.
Security fences are permitted on the property lines in all districts except residential districts but shall not exceed 10 feet in height and shall be of an open type similar to woven wire or wrought iron fencing.
No fence shall be constructed which is a picket fence or which is of an otherwise dangerous condition, or which conducts electricity or is designed to electrically shock, or which uses barbed wire; provided, however, that barbed wire may be used in industrially zoned areas if the devices securing the barbed wire to the fence are 10 feet above the ground in height and project toward the fenced property and away from the public area.
All fences shall be maintained and kept safe and in a state of good repair, and the finished side or decorative side of a fence shall face adjoining property.
Fences erected for the protection of planting or to warn of a construction hazard, or for similar purposes, shall be clearly visible or marked with colored streamers or other such warning devices at four-foot intervals. Such fences shall comply with the setback requirements set forth in this chapter. The issuance of a permit shall not be necessary for temporary fences as described herein, but said fences shall not be erected for more than 45 days.
Any fence or hedge existing on the effective date of this chapter and not in conformance with this chapter may be maintained, but any alteration, modification or improvement of said fence shall comply with this chapter. Any hedges planted after this date as a barrier shall be planted in such a manner as to not be an encumbrance to the adjoining property and shall not be allowed within four feet of the street or alleyway. Hedges shall be trimmed and maintained.
All fences and hedges shall require a permit to be issued by the Building Inspector prior to construction or planting. Any appeals of a decision of the Building Inspector regarding the provisions of this chapter shall be made pursuant to Chapter 194, Article II, Building Standards, of the Code of the City of Oconto Falls. All examination and/or approval fees for all fences or hedges shall be set by the Common Council. The Building Inspector shall enforce this chapter pursuant to Chapter 194, Article II, Building Standards, of the Code of the City of Oconto Falls.
Any person who violates this chapter shall be subject to a penalty as provided in § 1-9 of this Code. Every day of violation constitutes a separate offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).