Ordinance No. 1423, Amending the Fridley City Code Chapter 213, Fences, to Allow Electric Security Fences on Certain Industrial Properties
Ordinance No. 1423
Amending the Fridley City Code Chapter 213, Fences, to Allow Electric Security Fences on
Certain Industrial Properties
The City Council of the City of Fridley does ordain, after review, examination and staff
recommendation that the Fridley City Code be amended as follows:
Fridley City Code
Chapter 213. Fences
213.01. Definitions
Barbed Wire Security Fence: a barrier system comprised of twisted strands of wire armed with
barbs or sharp points arranged at intervals along the strands.
Electric Security Fence: a barrier system comprised of wire and designed to deter unauthorized
entry through the use of non-lethal electrical pulses. It consists of one or more insulated wires
strung along a fence line or other supporting structure and connected to a commercially-available
energizer, installed to manufacturer specifications, which delivers electrical pulses.
Fence: – As used herein the term "fence" means and includes a structure, partition or wall erected
for the purpose of enclosing a piece of land or to divide a piece of land into distinct portions. The
term "fence" includes an enclosure made of a permanent material, such as wood or iron.
Vision Safety Zone: – the triangular area of a corner lot beginning at the intersection of the street
surface edge or curb lines, measuring forty (40) feet along each curb line and a straight line
between the two (2) points, as illustrated in Exhibit 1.
Exhibit 1: Vision Safety Zone
213.02 Location
Fences shall may only be located entirely on the private property of the owner constructing the
fence. It is the responsibility of the property owner installing the fence to determine the location
of the property line.
Fences on corner lots shall may not encroach into the Vision Safety Zone.
Fences placed within a drainage or utility easement shall may not impede the flow of runoff or
interfere with planned or installed utilities. The City or any utility company having authority to
use such easement shall will not be liable for any damages, or to repair or replace such a fence, in
the event it is moved, damaged, or destroyed in the maintenance of the easement or the
installation, maintenance, or repair of utilities thereto.
213.03 Fence Height
No fence shall may exceed a height of thirty (30) inches within ten (10) feet of a driveway for a
distance of ten (10) feet in each direction from the intersection of the property line, as illustrated
in Exhibit 2.
Exhibit 2: Fence Height
1. Residential districts. Fences located in the front yard of the principal structure shall may not
exceed four (4) feet in height. Fences located in the side and rear yard lot line shall may not
exceed seven (7) feet in height.
2. Commercial districts. Fences located in the front of the principal structure yard shall may not
exceed four (4) feet in height. Fences located in the side and rear yard lot line shall may not
exceed eight (8) feet in height unless otherwise authorized by this Chapter.
In addition to an eight (8) foot fence, up to three (3) strands of barbed wire, which are not to
exceed eighteen (18) inches in height, may be affixed to the top of the eight (8) foot fence and
mounted on standard barbed wire arms designed specifically for that purpose. These barbed
wire arms may be used in the C-2 and C-3 districts, under the following conditions:
a. Barbed wire may be used on all sides of public utility and defense contractor facilities
for protection.
b. Barbed wire may be used in the side and rear yard of those properties that have
approved special use permits for outdoor storage areas or outdoor sales lots.
c. With City approval, during times of national emergency, properties may be authorized
additional usage of barbed wire to include temporary barriers made of barbed wire
and barbed wire used to top temporary security fences.
3. Industrial districts. Fences located in the front yard of the principal structure shall may not
exceed four (4) feet in height. Fences in the side and rear yard shall may not exceed eight (8)
feet in height unless otherwise authorized by this Chapter.
(a) Additional height is allowed for Security Fencing comprised of an Electric Security Fence
or a Barbed Wire Security Fence.
(1) Locations. Security fencing is allowed in the side and rear yard of those properties
that have approved outdoor storage uses, and in all yards of public utility and defense
contractor facilities, subject to the following conditions:
(2) Barbed wire security fence. In addition to an eight foot fence, up to three strands
of barbed wire, not to exceed 18 inches in height, may be affixed to the top of the
eight foot fence and mounted on standard barbed wire arms designed specifically for
that purpose.
(3) Electric security fence. In addition to an eight-foot-tall fence, commercially-
available electric security fencing which meets the standards established in American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) “Standard Practice for Commercial
Application of Electric Security Fences” and is installed and maintained to manufacturer
specifications may extend up to 24 inches above the eight-foot high fence.
((a)) Electric security fencing may be placed on industrial zoned properties that
abut a railroad and have approved outdoor storage uses; or
((b)) Contain public utility or defense contractor facilities.
((c)) Electric security fencing must be placed inside a solid-surface or otherwise
impenetrable, eight-foot tall, non-electric fence capable of preventing ground-
level persons, animals, or objects from contacting it from outside the fence.
((d)) The electric security fence must at all times be marked with clearly legible
electric fence warning signage. Signage must be placed at least every 30 linear feet
and on every gate.
((e)) The area three feet from the electric security fence in any direction must be
kept free of vegetation which may contact the electric security fence.
(b) With City approval, during times of national emergency, properties may be authorized
additional usage of barbed wire or electric security fence to include temporary barriers
made of barbed wire and barbed wire used to on top of temporary security fences.
In addition to an eight (8) foot fence, up to three (3) strands of barbed wire, which are not
to exceed eighteen (18) inches in height, may be affixed to the top of the eight (8) foot
fence and mounted on standard barbed wire arms designed specifically for that purpose.
These barbed wire arms may be used in the M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, and S-3 districts, under
the following conditions:
a. Barbed wire may be used on all sides of public utility and defense contractor facilities
for protection.
b. Barbed wire may be used in the side and rear yard of those properties that have
approved special use permits for outdoor storage areas or outdoor sales lots.
c. With City approval, during times of national emergency, properties may be authorized
additional usage of barbed wire to include temporary barriers made of barbed wire and
barbed wire used to top temporary security fences.
213.04 Construction and Maintenance
Every fence shall must be constructed in a substantial and workmanship-like manner and of a
substantial material. Every fence shall must be maintained in a condition of reasonable repair and
shall may not be allowed to become and remain in a condition of disrepair or danger, or constitute
a nuisance, public or private. Any fence which is dangerous by reason of its state of disrepair or
construction or is otherwise injurious to public safety, health or welfare is a nuisance. Any such
fence that has become a nuisance shall must be repaired or removed. Any violation of this section
Section shall is be subject to the abatement process as set forth in Chapter 128.Abatement of
Exterior Public Nuisances Chapter of the Code.
213.05 Permitting
Building permits are required for fences over 7 ft.seven feet in height.
213.06 Prohibition
The following fences are prohibited within the City.
1. Any fence of metal construction or otherwise, which is charged with or connected with to
an electrical current in such a manner as able to be transmitted said current to persons, animals
or objects which might come in contact with sameit, unless otherwise authorized by this
Chapter.
2. Any fence constructed within or upon any public right-of-way.
3. Any fence constructed within, upon or through a drainage areas, ponds, or wetlands.
4. Any fence that encloses, hinders, or restricts access to above ground utility boxes, fire
hydrants or other above ground utility structures or components.
5. Any fence located within a Vision Safety Zone.
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Fridley on this 28th day of May, 2024.
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Scott J. Lund - Mayor
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Melissa Moore - City Clerk
Public Hearing: May 13, 2024
First Reading: May 13, 2024
Second Reading: May 28, 2024
Publication: May 31, 2024