Ordinance No. 1320 05-11-2015
CITY OF FRIDLEY, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 1320
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY,
MINNESOTA, BY REPEALING CHAPTER 213 ENTITLED “FENCES” IN ITS
ENTIRETY AND ADOPTING A NEW CHAPTER 213 ENTITLED “FENCES”
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY DOES HEREBY ORDAIN
SECTION 1:
That Chapter 213 Entitled “Fences” is hereby repealed in its entirety.
SECTION 2:
That Chapter 213 Entitled “Fences” is hereby adopted as follows:
FRIDLEY CITY CODE
CHAPTER 213. FENCES
213.01. DEFINITIONS
1.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.
2.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.
213.02 LOCATION
Fences shall 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 not encroach into the Vision Safety Zone.
Fences placed within a drainage or utility easement shall 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 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.
Ordinance No. 1320 Page 2
213.03 FENCE HEIGHT
No fence shall 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.
1.Residential districts – Fences located in front of the
principal structure shall not exceed four (4) feet in
height. Fences located in the side and rear yard lot
line shall not exceed seven (7) feet in height.
2.Commercial districts – Fences located in front of
the principal structure shall not exceed four (4) feet
in height. Fences located in the side and rear yard
lot line shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.
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 front of the principal structure shall not exceed
four (4) feet in height. Fences in the side and rear yard shall not exceed eight (8) feet in
height.
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.
Ordinance No. 1320 Page 3
213.04 CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
Every fence shall be constructed in a substantial and workmanship-like manner and of a
substantial material. Every fence shall be maintained in a condition of reasonable repair and
shall 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 be repaired or removed. Any violation of this section
shall be subject to the abatement process as set forth in Chapter 128.
213.05 PERMITTING
Building permits are required for fences over 7 ft. in height.
213.06 PROHIBITION
The following fences are prohibited within the City.
1.Any fence of metal construction or otherwise, which is charged or connected with an
electrical current in such a manner as to transmit said current to persons, animals or
objects which might come in contact with same.
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 THIS
TH
11DAY OF MAY 2015.
________________________
Scott J. Lund, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Debra A. Skogen, City Clerk
Public Hearing: April 13, 2015
First Reading: April 27, 2015
Second Reading: May 11, 2015
Published: May 22, 2015