Huber Ridge Area

NEW FENCE REQUIREMENTS Effective MAY 1, 2008

FRANKLIN COUNTY ENACTS NEW FENCE REQUIREMENTS

Effective May 1, 2008, the following fence requirements will be enforced:

501.012 - Height - No fence or wall between a street and principal structure shall be more than three and one half (3 1/2) feet (42 inches) in height. Elsewhere, no fence shall exceed six (6) feet in height. These height requirements are subject to the following exceptions:

a) Requirements outlined in SECTION 521, ARTICLE V, REQUIRED SCREENING, or

b) Requirements in accordance with an approved Development Plan of a Planned Development District

501.014 - Location, Measurement, and Maintenance

a) No fence or wall shall be located within an existing right of way.

b) Fence height shall be measured from the finished grade at the higher side of the fence.

c) Fences shall be erected with the finished side out; meaning the side of the fence with the posts on it must face the applicant's property.

d) Fencing must be properly maintained and in good repair at all times.

501.016 - Certificate of Zoning Compliance required - No fence shall be erected without a zoning certificate as provided for in SECTION 705.02 - CERTIFICATE OF ZONING COMPLIANCE.

501.018 - Repair of Existing Fences - for minor fence repair, and if the fence meets all the requirements of Section 501, and the materials, height, and location do not vary from the materials, height, and location of the fence being repaired, a zoning certificate is not required.

501.020 - Swimming Pool Fences - All swimming pools must be completely enclosed by a fence. The fence height shall be a minimum of four (4) feet (48 inches) in height as required by the 2006 International Building Code.

501.024 - Fence Materials - All fences, regardless of whether or not a zoning certificate is required for their construction, that are constructed, repaired, expanded, or enlarged, shall be constructed only of approved fence materials. Fence material are also subject to the requirements of Section 501.013.

a) Approved fence materials shall consist of materials normally manufactured for, used as, and recognized as fencing materials such as: wrought iron or other decorative metals suitable for the construction of fences, masonry, concrete, stone, metal tubing, wood planks, and vinyl or fiberglass composite manufactured specifically as fencing materials that are approved by the Administrative Officer.

b) Chain link fences shall not be permitted between a street and a principal structure

501.012 Corner Lots and Double-Frontage Lots - In the event a property is situated adjacent to two (2) or more streets, the following shall apply:

a) Setback and height requirements of Sections 501.012 to 501.014 shall apply to all streets.

501.013 - Electric and Barbed Wire Fences - Electric and barbed wire fences shall be prohibited unless otherwise permitted by Section 971.03 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Most Notable Changes in the Code

The most notable changes are as follows:

1. Maximum fence height has changed (decreased) from 8 feet to 6 feet

2. Fences now must be erected with the finished side out

3. Effective May 1, 2008, a Certificate of Zoning Compliance will be required to erect and in some cases, repair and modify an existing fence. So, when erecting a fence, the certificate should be a part of the fence budget. (I do not know the cost yet; have not checked.)

Electric Dog Fences

When asked about dog fences via email in August, 2008; Joe Bailey, Zoning Enforcement Officer of Franklin County Economic Development & Planning, said,

"The code does not address 'dog fence' I think the term 'fence' in this purpose is to convey the idea that it acts just like an above ground fence. At this time the code does not have any restrictions on this type of fence."