Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/84151
70 • OCTOBER 2012 • WORLD FENCE NEWS As part of an ongoing and long- standing series, World Fence News of- fers this "snapshot" of building ordinances which affect fence installa- tions from municipalities across the United States and Canada. This infor- mation was taken from official sources, but you should always consult the ap- propriate building departments where you plan to work for specific require- ments. Milwaukee, Wisconsin Fences offer privacy and enclosure that may be desireable in a residential setting. Fences also have a visual im- pact on properties and neighborhoods. To ensure that impact is positive, the City of Milwaukee regulates fences. These regulations establish standards Fence ordinances from around the U.S. for fence materials, construction, heights and placement on the property. Fences may be built up to your property line (which is a shared invis- ible line between two adjoining prop- erties). Fences may be set back any distance from the lot line. You will need to determine where your property lines are located. If a survey is not included with your mort- gage papers, a property survey may be on file with the city. If not, you will wish to hire a sur- veyor to determine and mark your lot lines. Placing a fence that goes over a lot line onto your neighbor's property is not allowed; additional expense may be incurred to remedy the situation. A fence may not be built on neigh- boring property. If you believe your neighbor's fence encroaches onto your property, you may initiate private legal action. City government does not arbi- trate these disputes. If you have a con- cern about a neighborhood fence and would like an inspector to investigate whether the fence was built to code or has the proper permit, call the city's in- spection division. Materials: Fences must be built with approved fence wire, standard fence wood, vinyl, or metal such as wrought iron. You may not build a fence with scrap lumber, chicken wire, wood pallets, or other unapproved ma- terials. Fence posts and supports must be installed on the side of the fence that faces your own house or yard (good side toward your neighbor). Historic districts: If you live in a local historic district, call the historic preservation office before you start building or enter into a contract with a fence company. A certificate of appro- priateness is required before a fence permit can be issued. Height and location: The height allowed for a fence depends on its lo- cation on your lot and on the fence style or material. Corner lots present unique chal- lenges. Generally, the narrower street frontage of a corner lot is the front of the lot, no matter which street the house faces. The city also defines a side yard somewhat differently than what you might expect. A side yard is defined as that portion of the lot that is located on each side of your house. It is distinct from the front yard, the back yard, the side street or the rear street. The maximum allowable height for a fence in a front yard is 4 feet. However, if the fence is constructed with an ornamental material, such as The Dodge Report continued from previous page rehabilitation project in Tennessee. Nonresidential building, at $138.1 billion (annual rate), decreased 7% in July, with weaker activity reported for the majority of the institutional cate- gories. Educational facilities in July dropped 12%, after showing some im- provement during the previous two months. July included a few notewor- thy education-related projects, led by a $93 million high school in Mountain House, Calif., which is being financed via a leaseback arrangement, as well as a $65 million science building at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. However, these projects were not enough to avert a decline for the educational building category in July. Healthcare construction in July dropped 10%, even with the start of a $156 million replacement hospital at Fort Irwin, Calif. and a $113 million hospital expansion in Silver Spring, Md. Also showing declines in July were amusement-related construction, down 13%; and churches, down 10%. The public buildings category, comprised of courthouses and deten- tion facilities, edged up 1% in July. Transportation terminal work re- bounded 50% from a weak June, helped by the start of a $96 million ter- minal expansion at Dulles Interna- tional Airport in Virginia.