HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd. 405 - Amendment Fences & Walls
CITY OF ANDOVER
COUNTY OF ANOKA
STATE OF MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 405
AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO CITY CODE 12-7-2 FENCES AND WALLS,
LOCATIONS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANDOVER DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
CHAPTER 7: FENCES AND WALLS
SECTION:
12-7-1: Permitted Use
12-7-2: Locations
12-7-3: Fence Height
12-7-4: Performance Standards
12-7-5: Barbed Wire and Electric Fences
12-7-6: Exemptions From Provisions
12-7-1: PERMITTED USE:
Fences, walls, hedges and similar barriers (herein referred to as fences) shall be permitted
in all yards subject to the provisions ofthis chapter. A permit is required for the
construction of all fences or walls that are located on, in, or near any property line,
drainage and utility easement, or wetland in the City of Andover. A permit application
shall be submitted for review by the Engineering Department and an application fee shall
be paid as outlined in Chapter 1-7-3 ofthis code prior to the issuance of any permit.
(Amend. 12/6/05, Ord. 317)
12-7-2: LOCATION:
A. Fences shall be located entirely on the private property of the individual
constructing the fence. Fences may be placed up to the property line. It is the
responsibility of the property owner to determine the location of property lines.
Fences may be located in any private yard or along a side or rear property line,
except as follows:
1. No fence shall be placed in the public right-of-way.
2. Fences shall not be placed in undere:round;my utility easement~ where any
under ground utility is preseflt. Fences may be placed in other utility
easements if within other utility casements so long as they do not interfere
iR afty way with existing under ground or above ground utilities. The
existence and location of private utility easements and equipment must be
determined by contacting Gopher State One Call.
3. Fences shall not be constructed or placed in such a manner so as to obstruct
the flo'.v of ',vater to or through drainage areas, ponds, or wetlands. Fences
shall not be placed in easements that provide vehicle access for the
maintenance of drainage, ponding, or wetland areas.
4. For fence placements on 2.5 acres and lare:er lots. the City may permit
non-restrictive fencine: in drainae:e, wetland or pondine: areas as lone: as
they do not restrict the flow of water. Access to ponds. wetlands and
other such areas may be reauired bv the City for maintenance purposes.
No fcnce shall be constructed so as to enclose, hinder, or restrict ascess to
utility boxes, fire hydrants, or any other above ground utilities.
5. Fences in any area shall not enclose. hinder or restrict access to utility
boxes, fire hydrants or other above e:round utilities. on comer lots shall
not encroach upon the Cleffi' View Triangle as defined in Section 12 2 2 of
this code.
6. Fences on corner lots shall not encroach upon the Clear View Triane:le
as defined in Section 12-2-2 of this code.
B. Any fence placed in violation of this section shall be the liability of the property
owner who constructed it. The City, or any other agency having authority to work
in a right-of-way or easement area, shall not be liable for repair or replacement of
such fences in the event they are moved, damaged, or destroyed by virtue of the
lawful use of that area. Any damage caused by the illegal placement of a fence
shall be the responsibility ofthe property owner who constructed it.
12-7-3: FENCE HEIGHT:
A. In the rear and side yards up to the front facyade of the principal structure, fences
up to a height of six (6) feet are allowed. (Amended Ord. 386, 8/5/09)
B. Fences located closer to the front property line than the principal structure, shall
not exceed four (4) feet in height. In the R-l Single-Family Rural Residential and
R-2 Single-Family Estate zoning districts, "ornamental fences", as defined in
Section 12-2-2 of this title, of up to six (6) feet in height are permitted in all yards,
provided the fence does not encroach upon the Clear View Triangle as defined in
Section 12-2-2 ofthis code. (Amended Ord. 386, 8/5/09)
12-7-4: PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
A. Construction and Materials: Every fence shall be constructed in a workmanlike
manner. For all fences constructed after the adoption of this title, all posts,
supports, and framework shall be placed on the inside of the fence, with the
finished side facing the abutting property or street. Fences in all districts shall be
constructed of materials widely accepted in the fencing industry. No plywood
boards, canvas, plastic sheeting or metal sheeting shall be used for any fence
construction. No fence may have boards, planks, or panels larger than twelve (12)
inches in width.
Chain-link fences shall be constructed in such a manner that the barbed end is at
the bottom ofthe fence.
Silt fences shall only be allowed on construction sites or where deemed necessary
to prevent soil erosion.
Snow fences shall only be allowed between November 1 sl and April 15th.
B. Maintenance: All fences shall be maintained in good condition and vertical
position. Any missing, broken, incomplete, or deteriorated sections of fencing
material or structural elements shall be replaced with the same quality of material
and workmanship.
All exterior wood surfaces, other than decay resistant woods, shall be protected
from the elements and decay by a protective covering or treatment. If twenty-five
percent (25%) of the surface is peeling, cracked, chipped, blistered, or weathered
beyond effectiveness, the exterior surface shall be refinished. The entire surface
shall be uniformly treated and maintained with the same quality of workmanship.
(Amend. 12/6/05, Ord. 317)
Any fence not in conformance with this subsection shall be declared a nuisance
and repaired so as to be in conformance or removed by the property owner.
12-7-5: BARBED WIRE AND ELECTRIC FENCES:
A. A security arm for barbed wire to a maximum of eight (8) feet may be permitted
by Conditional Use Permit in industrial or business districts.
B. Barbed wire and electrical fences shall not be permitted on residential lots of less
than two and one half (2.5) acres.
12-7-6: EXEMPTIONS FROM PROVISIONS:
Fences that are for the sole purpose of containing farm animals are not subject to the
provision of this title. (Ord. 8PPPPPP, 8-20-2002; amd. 2003 Code; amd. Ord. 314, 10-
4-2005)
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Andover on this 19th day of April. 2011.
CITY OF ANDOVER
ATTEST
~lt~C11 JJ~
Mi helle Hartner, Deputy City Clerk
CITY OF ANDOVER
COUNTY OF ANOKA
STATE OF MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO, 405 SUMMARY
AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO CITY CODE 12-7-2 FENCES AND WALLS,
LOCATIONS
STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION AND POLICY
Statutory Authorization
This ordinance amendment is adopted pursuant to the authorization and policies contained in
Minnesota Statute 462.
Policy
The purpose of these regulations is to protect the public health, safety and welfare and to clarify the
allowable locations for fences.
GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
Jurisdiction
The provisions of this ordinance shall apply to the City of Andover.
Enforcement
The City Administrator or hislher designee shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this
ordinance.
Interpretation
Interpretation of the provisions ofthis ordinance shall be held to be the minimum requirements and
shall be liberally construed in the favor of the governing body.
A printed copy of this ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular hours of
the City Clerk.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Andover on this 19th day of April, 2011,
ATTEST: CITY OF ANDOVER
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