Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 2007-287)
Zoning Ordinance, Section 5: Fence and Hedge Regulations
The text in force today, section by section, as far as it has been consolidated, with each section's history. Last amended December 6, 2023. Amended by 2 ordinances since 2010.
1 section of this chapter has been repealed, replaced or amended by a later ordinance whose text is not consolidated yet (5.03): each is marked, and the text shown for it is the earlier text.
Unofficial compilation built from the City's published 2010 Code chapters and the text of adopted ordinances. Effective dates are inferred from adoption records; scanned chapters were OCR'd. The City of Tiffin's adopted Code of Ordinances governs. Not legal advice.
Dates: an Iowa ordinance takes effect when it is published after adoption. Where the clerk's certificate records the publication date it is used; otherwise the adoption date stands in for it.
5.01 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 the Tiffin Design Standards..
5.02 PERMITS¶
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.
5.03 LOCATION¶
Replaced by Ord. 2022-499 (December 21, 2022) — not yet consolidated; the text below is the earlier text. Read the ordinance.
A. Fences and hedges must be located so no part thereof is within three feet of an alley or three feet of a street right-of-way without City permission.
B. If a Fence Agreement cannot be reached between property owners of a shared lot-line, either property owner may construct an approved fence on their property but it must be a minimum of feet from the shared lot-line.
C. Fences must 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 must remove it.
History (2 entries)
| From | To | Source | How | Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2010 | today | 2010 Code | base text · text | p. 111 |
| Dec 21, 2022 | Ord. 2022-499 | section replaced · not yet consolidated | p. 1 |
5.04 HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS¶
A. In any residential classified districts, fences within the front yard must not exceed four feet in height.
B. No portion of a perimeter fence or hedge may exceed seven feet in height.
5.05 SPECIAL FENCES¶
A. Swimming Pools
1. Except as provided in Section 5.05 (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.
History (2 entries)
| From | To | Source | How | Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2010 | Dec 6, 2023 | 2010 Code | base text · text | p. 112 |
| Dec 6, 2023 | today | Ord. 2023-507 | section replaced · text | p. 1 |
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Data last updated October 15, 2026. Built from the archive's documents; see how the data is built.