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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZoningGuideFence 1 1/10/2024 Fence- Zoning Code Requirements City of Oshkosh Planning Services Division Zoning Code Guide: This guide was developed to help direct you through the zoning process. Following the steps below will help to eliminate possible delays in obtaining your zoning permit approval. 1. Provide a Site Plan The plans shall be drawn at 1 inch = 20 feet or larger scale and shall include the following (see the sample site plan). Blank site plans may be purchased at the Planning Services counter for a fee. Please include on your site plan: • All existing structures on site. • Property lot lines. • Location of proposed structure(s). • Dimensions of proposed structure(s). • Distance (setbacks) proposed structure(s) are from property lines and other structures. • Location, dimension and purpose (i.e. water, sewer, etc.) of all known easements. 2. Other Information With the site plan other information that may be required : • Materials used • Height of structure(s) • Elevations (if applicable) 3. Apply for the Permit Please plan ahead to apply for your permit. We suggest that you apply for the permit 2 weeks prior to wanting to start construction. The Planning Services Division is located at 215 Church Ave, Oshkosh Room 204, Level 2 and open Monday– Friday 8am to 4:30pm. If you have questions please feel free to contact the Planning Services Division at (920) 236-5059. Web Site: www.oshkoshwi.gov Storm Easement Sample Site Plan 2 1/10/2024 Design • With the exception of fences used for required screening, any fence located in the front yard shall be a maximum of 50 percent opaque, meaning that the spaces between the pickets are equal to or greater than the width of the pickets. • A fence that includes pre-woven or interwoven privacy fence slats and that is at least 90 percent opaque shall be considered a solid fence. • Fences shall be architecturally compatible with the design and materials of the principal building. Design details shall be substantially the same (but need not be identical) as those of the principal building. Industrial uses shall be exempt from this requirement. Height The maximum height of any fence panel, landscape wall, or decorative post shall be the following: In the SR-2, SR-3, SR-5, SR-9, DR-6, TR-10, MR-12, MR-20, MR-36, MH-9, I, and NMU zoning districts: • 4 feet when located within the required or provided front yard or street yard, whichever is closer to the street. • 6 feet within the side yard or rear yard, but not in the required front yard or beyond the front façade of the principal building. • Where permitted, barb wire fencing or similar security fencing on top of fences shall not extend higher than 3 feet beyond the top of the fence. In the RMU zoning district: • 4 feet when located within the required or provided waterfront yard or street yard, whichever is closer to the water or street, as appropriate. • 6 feet within the side yard. Fence- Zoning Code Requirements City of Oshkosh Planning Services Division 3 1/10/2024 In the RH-35, SMU, UMU, CMU, BP, UI, and HI zoning districts: • 4 feet when located within the required or provided front yard or street yard, whichever is closer to the street. • 8 feet within the side yard or rear yard, but not in the required front yard or beyond the front façade of the principal building. • Where permitted, barb wire fencing or similar security fencing on top of fences shall not extend higher than 3 feet beyond the top of the fence. • Height shall be measured from the ground immediately under the fence to the top rail of the fence. Height Exceptions • Decorative posts at a minimum spacing of 24 inches may extend 8 inches above the maximum height. See below. • To accommodate slopes and/or lawn maintenance, up to 4 inches of ground clearance shall be allowed which will not contribute to the measurement of maximum fence height. • Berms with slopes less than or equal to a minimum of 3 feet of horizontal to a maximum of every 1 foot of vertical (i.e. 3:1) shall not contribute to the measurement of maximum fence height. Fence- Zoning Code Requirements City of Oshkosh Planning Services Division 4 1/10/2024 Location • Fences must meet the visibility standards in Section 30-174. Vision Triangle at Alleys and Driveways. A vision triangle extending 10 feet from alleys and driveways shall be maintained. No wall, fence, structure, utility structure or appurtenance, or vegetation shall be permitted within such vision triangle which materially impedes vision between the height of 2 ½ feet and 8 feet. Development in the CMU district shall be exempt from this requirement. • Fences may be located within or on any property line. • Fences legally constructed prior to the effective date of this Chapter shall be permitted to be replaced in their existing location. Orientation • Any and all fences, landscape walls, or decorative posts shall be erected so as to locate visible supports and other structural components toward the subject property, i.e. with the finished side facing outward. Fence- Zoning Code Requirements City of Oshkosh Planning Services Division 5 1/10/2024 Maintenance • Any and all fences, landscape walls, or decorative posts shall be maintained in a structurally sound and attractive manner. Temporary Fencing Permits are not required for temporary fencing. Temporary fencing shall be permitted for the following purposes: • The use of wood or plastic snow fences for the purposes of limiting snow drifting between November 1 and April 1. • The protection of excavation and construction sites and the protection of plants during grading and construction, in association with an active building permit. Materials Fences shall be constructed using the following materials: • Naturally resistant or treated wood, Brick or masonry, Natural stone, Wrought iron, Vinyl, Galvanized and/or coated chain link • Other material of comparable quality must be approved by the Director of Community Development. Fence- Zoning Code Requirements City of Oshkosh Planning Services Division 6 1/10/2024 Rules Related to Specific Materials • Permanent chicken wire fences or snow fences shall not be used with residential uses. • Non-corrugated, solid metal fences are permitted in the UI and HI zoning districts. • Barb wire fencing or similar security fencing shall be permitted only on the top of security fencing when located at least 6 feet above the ground and shall be permitted only in the I, UI, and HI districts. Such fences shall meet the setbacks for the principal structure. • Galvanized and coated chain link fences shall have a minimum 9 gauge thickness, and a top rail support is required. Galvanized and coated chain link fences shall not be permitted in front or street yards and shall not extend toward the street beyond the front of the building. • The height of a fence shall be measured from the established grade. • The building code does not establish minimum depth requirements for installing fence posts. A general rule of thumb is to place the posts into the ground a minimum of half the height of the fence. Please note that the minimum frost depth for this area is 48”. • The City of Oshkosh does not provide surveying services for the location of property irons. • Fences are allowed to be placed up to the property lines but in no case can the fencing extend over the property line. It is recommended that the fence be constructed off the lot line if maintenance will need to be done to the fencing without going onto the neighboring property. Fence- Zoning Code Requirements City of Oshkosh Planning Services Division