Chapter 15.52
FENCES
Sections:
15.52.020 Construction permit required.
15.52.050 Location with reference to lots or easements – Releases.
15.52.060 Manner of construction when located in easement – Liability of village.
15.52.080 Construction materials generally.
15.52.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms shall mean as indicated below:
A. “Fence” means a manmade structure forming a barrier which is not a part of any building or structure and is more than two feet in height over existing grade. (Ord. 85-18 § 1, 1985)
15.52.020 Construction permit required.
It shall be unlawful for any person to build, construct or erect any fence without a fence construction permit issued by the building department. (Ord. 93-4 § 2, 1993; Ord. 85-18 § 1, 1985)
15.52.030 Permit application.
Any person desiring a fence construction permit shall apply in writing to the building department upon a form furnished by said department. In addition to the information required on said application, the application shall be accompanied by a sketch showing the proposed location of the fence in relation to lot lines and existing permanent improvements, the type of construction and materials to be used, and the proposed height of the fence. (Ord. 93-4 § 2, 1993; Ord. 85-18 § 1, 1985)
15.52.040 Permit fee.
Every person desiring a fence construction permit shall be charged a fee in accordance with the fee schedule as established by the village board of trustees of the village of Riverdale. (Ord. 2016-13 § 2, 2016; Ord. 2002-08 § 12, 2002; Ord. 93-4 § 2, 1993; Ord. 92-17 § 1, 1992; Ord. 85-18 § 1, 1985)
15.52.050 Location with reference to lots or easements – Releases.
No fence shall be built, constructed or erected so as to extend past the front yard building line as established by the zoning ordinance, nor shall any fence be built past the side street yard on a corner lot as established by the zoning ordinance. (Ord. 2016-13 § 3, 2016; Ord. 93-4 § 2, 1993; Ord. 85-18 § 1, 1985)
15.52.060 Manner of construction when located in easement – Liability of village.
Any fence allowed or permitted in an easement shall be so constructed that the fence and post may be readily removable. The village shall in no way be held liable for the replacement of any fence removed, or any other expense entailed by the removal or re-erection of any fence in said easement. (Ord. 93-4 § 2, 1993; Ord. 85-18 § 1, 1985)
15.52.070 Gate required.
A gate or opening shall be provided in all fence enclosures. (Ord. 93-4 § 2, 1993; Ord. 85-18 § 1, 1985)
15.52.080 Construction materials generally.
Any suitable construction materials may be used for a fence except corrugated sheet steel, chicken wire, square-welded mesh wire, electrically charged wire, or a temporary snow fence. Except as otherwise provided, no fence shall be taped with sharp-edged materials; provided, however, that this prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit picket fences. The entire length of a fence shall be constructed of the same or of harmonious material. (Ord. 93-4 § 2, 1993; Ord. 85-18 § 1, 1985)
15.52.090 Barbed wire.
Barbed wire may be used in commercial or manufacturing zoning districts; provided, that a fence constructed of same shall be located a minimum of seven feet from the established grade and the barbed wire shall be turned to the inside of the property upon which it is erected. No such barbed wire shall be located closer than five feet from any public right-of-way or public place. (Ord. 93-4 § 2, 1993; Ord. 85-18 § 1, 1985)
15.52.100 Height measurement.
Except as otherwise provided, all height dimensions for a fence shall be measured from the established grade to the topmost section of the fence. (Ord. 93-4 § 2, 1993; Ord. 85-18 § 1, 1985)
15.52.200 Variances.
The village board may approve a variance from the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 93-4 § 2, 1993; Ord. 85-18 § 1, 1985)
15.52.300 Maximum height.
A. The maximum fence height in a residential use district shall be six feet between buildings and shall be six feet in height in the rear yard behind the building.
B. The maximum height of a fence located in a manufacturing use district shall be twelve feet.
C. The maximum height of a fence located in a commercial or office use district shall be six feet.
D. Except as provided in subsection E of this section, a fence, wall or densely planted 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 yard shall exceed a height of three feet. Fences located in required front yards shall be at least fifty percent open.
Where such lot line is adjacent to nonresidentially zoned property, there shall be a twelve-foot limit on the height of a fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery along such lot line.
E. No fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery shall be erected, placed, maintained or grown along a lot line on any nonresidentially zoned property, adjacent to residentially zoned property, to a height exceeding six feet. All business and industrial fences shall be noncombustible. (Ord. 93-4 § 2, 1993; Ord. 85-18 § 1, 1985)