Ferndale Zoning Code § 7.08 Fences, Hedges, Natural or Planted Growth and other Sight Obstructions: (This…

2/23/2025

40 of 71

City of Ferndale

Zoning Ordinance 02-02

Page 41

7.08.1 No structure, fence, art object, landscaping or other obstacle, impediment or hindrance shall obscure visibility within the sight visibility triangle for any street corner, alley intersection or driveway exit onto a street. The site visibility triangle includes the vertical area that is between three feet and ten feet above the sidewalk level, or street level if there is no sidewalk. For a corner lot, the horizontal legs of the visibility triangle are 20’ long measured from the intersection of the two abutting property lines; the hypotenuse is drawn from the end points of the two legs. For an alley or driveway intersecting a street, the horizontal legs of the visibility triangle are 5’ long measured from the intersection of the two abutting property lines; the hypotenuse is drawn from the end points of the two legs. The NonConforming Uses section (Article XII) shall apply to obstructions within the site visibility triangle existing on the effective date of the application of these regulations. Nothing in this Section shall limit the abatement of a public health and safety nuisance.

• 7.08.2 Fences (This section amended by Ord. 2020-04 on 2/12/07) a. Fences defined. For purposes of this Section 7.08.2, a fence shall mean an artificially constructed barrier consisting of any materials, intended to form an enclosure, mark a boundary, prevent intrusion, provide a screen, and including walls or like structures, but not a building wall.

b. Fences, Generally. No fence shall exceed a height of six (6) feet on any portion of a lot within the City.

c. Fences in Front Yards of Any Lot. Fences located in the front yard, as that term is defined by Section 3.80.1 of this Ordinance, of any lot shall not exceed four (4) feet in height. The height restriction set forth in this sub-section shall apply to any fence located in the front yard of any lot regardless of whether the fence runs in a direction that is generally parallel or perpendicular to the front street line. The height restriction set forth in this sub-section is subject to Section 7.08.1, regulating the sight visibility triangle.

d. Fences in the Side Yards on the Street Side of Corner Lots. Fences located in the side yard on the street side of a corner lot, as those terms are defined by Sections 3.47.2 and 3.80.3 of this Ordinance, shall not exceed six (6) feet in height from the front corner of the main structure to the rear lot line.

e. Height of a Fence. The height of a fence shall be measured from the higher finished grade adjoining the fence.

f. Prohibited Fence Materials. No Fence shall be constructed using barbed or razor wire, electrified fence material, chain link fence material, or other materials not typically used, designated, or manufactured for fencing such as metal roofing panels, corrugated or sheet metal, tarps or plywood.

g. Permit Required. To the extent required by the Zoning Ordinance or the Building Inspector - Construction Code Ordinance, any person who intends to construct a fence shall first obtain all required permits from the City.

f. Illustration. For purposes of illustration, the following diagram demonstrates the pertinent areas affected by sub-sections “c” and “d” of this Section 7.08.2:

2/23/2025

41 of 71

City of Ferndale

Zoning Ordinance 02-02

Page 42

Text read from an image; its layout may differ:
Side yard on
the street
side of a
corner lot
STREET
Front Yard Front Yard Front Yard
STREET