§ 166.27 Fence And Hedge Regulations

This section establishes regulations for fences and hedges. It provides for permits, installation, construction, and regulations for location and height. This Section includes by reference all applicable regulations regarding fencing contained in the Tiffin Design Standards..

A. All property owners must apply for a fence permit and pay an application fee prior to installation. Fees for a permit must be set by resolution of the City Council.

B. Before issuing a permit for a fence proposed to be located on a lot-line shared by two different property owners, the City requires that the following conditions be met:

1. The owners of the properties that share the lot-line on which the proposed fence will be located must sign a written Fence Agreement, in recordable format, that outlines the materials the fence will be constructed from, the location of the fence, the height of the fence, and the agreement of both property owners to terms of the agreement.

2. The agreement must be filed with the County Recorder at the cost of the parties installing the fence.

3. A copy of the recorded Fence Agreement must be presented to the City Clerk before the Clerk will issue the permit.

A. Swimming Pools located outdoors with a depth of 18 inches or more, must be enclosed by a fence subject to the following requirements:

1. The fences must be at least four feet in height from ground level but not to exceed seven feet from the top rim of the pool, and have no spaces that would allow a four inch diameter sphere to pass through.

2. Fences must have a self-closing and self-latching device on the gate.

3. Fences must be located so no part thereof is within three feet of an alley or street right-of-way.

B. Barbed wire and electric fences must meet the following requirements:

1. Barbed wire and electric fences may not be allowed in residential or commercial zones except as otherwise required by the Tiffin Design Standards or as otherwise provided in this ordinance.

2. Barbed wire and electric fences are prohibited within five feet of a public sidewalk or within four feet of a street right-of-way where a public sidewalk does not exist.

3. Electric fences are not permitted in any district except for the enclosure of livestock operations in Agricultural zones (A-1).

4. No electric fence may carry a charge greater than 25 milliamperes nor a pulsating current longer than one-tenth per second in a one-second cycle. All electric fence chargers must carry the seal of an approved testing laboratory.

1. Intent. This section establishes regulations for fences and hedges. It provides for permits, installation, construction, and regulations for location and height. This section includes by reference all applicable regulations regarding fencing contained in Chapter 155 and Chapter 166.

2. Permits.

A. All property owners shall apply for a fence permit and pay an application fee prior to installation. Fees for a permit shall be set by resolution of the Council.

B. Before issuing a permit for a fence proposed to be located on a lot line shared by two different property owners, the City requires that the following conditions be met:

(1) The owners of the properties that share the lot line on which the proposed fence will be located shall sign a written fence agreement, in recordable format, that outlines the materials used for construction.

(2) The agreement shall be filed the County Recorder at the cost of the parties installing the fence.

(3) A copy of the recorded agreement shall be presented to the Clerk before the issuance of a permit.

3. Location.

A. Fences and hedges shall be located so no part thereof is within three feet of an alley or street right-of-way.

B. Unless a fence agreement is entered into pursuant to Subsection 2(B), above, a permitted fence shall be located entirely within the confines of the property lot lines under the stipulations of Item A. Hedges and bushes must stay three feet off of all property lot lines and shall also follow the stipulations of Item A.

C. Fences shall be placed so that it does not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic and their safety and sight distances. If a fence violates this requirement the owner shall remove it.

4. Height Restrictions.

A. In a residential district, fences within the front yard shall not exceed four feet in height.

B. No portion of a perimeter fence or hedge shall exceed seven feet in height.

5. Special Fences.

A. Swimming Pools.

(1) Except as provided in Subsection 5(A)(2) below, swimming pools located outdoors with a depth of 18 inches or more must be enclosed by a fence that meets all of the following requirements:

(a) The fences must be at least four feet in height from ground level but not to exceed seven feet from the top rim of the pool, and have no spaces that allow a four inch diameter sphere to pass through.

(b) Fences must have a self-closing and self-latching device on the gate.

(c) Fences must be located so no part thereof is within three feet of an alley or street right-of-way.

(2) A fence is not required for swimming pools if such pool is equipped with a powered safety cover that complies with ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) F1346.

B. Barbed wire and electric fences shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Barbed wire and electric fences shall not be allowed in residential or commercial zones except as otherwise required by the design standards or as otherwise provided in this Code.

(2) Barbed wire and electric fences are prohibited within five feet of a public sidewalk or within four feet of a street right-of-way where a public sidewalk does not exist.

(3) Electric fences are not permitted in any district except for the enclosure of livestock operations in an District R-1E.

(4) No electric fence shall carry a charge greater than 25 milliamperes nor a pulsating current longer than one-tenth per second in a one-second cycle. All electric fence charges must carry the seal of an approved testing laboratory.

Industrial Zones