Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/196134
56 • NOVEMBER 2013 • WORLD FENCE NEWS As part of an ongoing and longstanding series, World Fence News offers this "snapshot" of building ordinances which affect fence installations from municipalities across the United States and Canada. This information was taken from official internet sites, but you should always consult the appropriate building departments where you plan to work for specific requirements. Redding, California Virtually all California cities have ordinances determining heights and Fence ordinances from around the country minimum setbacks for fences and hedges. There are at least seven reasons for constructing a fence, as follows: 1. To block visual access to their property. 2. To demarcate property lines. 3. To inhibit access. 4. To provide a secure area for pets and children. 5. To improve climactic conditions (particularly to break up strong winds). 6. 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So why can't homeowners build them to their preferred height anywhere on their property? They cannot because fences may also cause problems – enormous problems, as noted below: 1. High fences are a safety hazard. This is the No. 1 reason why most cities enact restrictive ordinances. High fences at street intersections and driveways obstruct the vision of motorists and pedestrians. Fences more than 3 feet high near driveways are particularly dangerous, for they can block the view of small children and pets. Most cities, including Redding, restrict fence heights in the front of houses and around corner lots. 2. Some people like their own fence, but not their neighbor's fence. They fight about how high they are, what color they are, whose property they are on, and whose responsibility it is to maintain them. Some fences are built solely to irritate neighbors; these are called "spite fences." Without fence regulations, the City would be without the means to settle such disputes. 3. Fences can block or obstruct the view, block light, and restrict air flow. Just as the construction of a multistory building can disrupt the surrounding environment, so can an improperly placed high fence. 4. Fences can change the feel of a neighborhood. An obvious example of this is a 6-foot high, electric, chainlink fence topped with barbed wire. Also, fences higher than 6 feet tend to create an urban-fortress feeling instead of a warm, neighborhood feeling. Some fences are built solely to irritate neighbors; these are called "spite fences." Without fence regulations, the City would be without the means to settle such disputes. 5. The same fence that diminishes wind in the winter blocks out cool breezes for the homeowner and his neighbor during the summer. In this case, the next-door neighbor becomes a passive victim of the fence. You can understand, then, how beneficial it can be to talk to your neighbor before building a fence and why zoning ordinances are needed to regulate the height, location, and degree of openness. Remember, fence regulations establish your rights as well as your responsibilities. If a fence is constructed in violation of the City's fence ordinance, the owner may be required to correct the problem by relocating it or reducing its height. Normally, the City does not look for these violations; but if a complaint is filed, then an investigation must be conducted and the problem resolved. Often, complaints will compound, continued on page 58 Rising above the competition continued from page 54 areas to which you add the most value and over time build a distinctive reputation with customers. When done right, it also creates a competitive edge that's sustainable and hard to copy. I would like to thank Dale Stefanic and Harry Garden for their insights and help for this column. As always, the ideas that I present are there to help you realize that PROFIT IS NOT A DIRTY WORD!™ World Fence News contributing editor Jim Lucci is president of Management Motivational Associates of Freeport, N.Y., and for many years has written a monthly column on business management and issues which affect fence company owners and managers. He is a major contributor to the Fencer's Field Report which appears monthly in World Fence News. See the ad for Management Motivational Associates in this month's issue of World Fence News.