Wickliffe residents, council discuss proposed fence-code changes over gates and 4-foot maintenance strips

A resident warned the Wickliffe City Council that proposed changes to the city fence code would reduce usable yard space and increase costs for homeowners.

Dane Edwards, a resident of 1950 Garden Drive, told the council during audience participation that the proposed amendments would require gates and a 4-foot separation between parallel fences. "If these amendments are approved...I'm losing almost 25% of my backyard to dead space outside of the fence," Edwards said, and he estimated that gate requirements could increase his planned privacy-fence project from about $8,000 to about $11,000.

Council members and staff clarified the scope of the proposed code language. Councilwoman Koski said the gate requirement applies "only if there is a space between the fences" and is intended to allow maintenance access to those narrow strips. Councilman Gerson explained the legislation, as drafted, targets the rear-yard situation where an existing fence prevents access and a new, parallel fence would create an inaccessible alley. "The gate is only for the person putting up the fence ... and the rear gate is only for you to be able to access the rear part of the property," he said, adding property owners can appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a variance to shorten the four-foot separation.

Edwards gave specific figures to illustrate his concern: he said his backyard measures about 8,125 square feet and that a 4-foot maintenance strip around multiple sides could amount to roughly 25% of that area; he also cited per-gate costs of about $300 for a privacy gate and about $500 for a chain-link gate.

Council members noted the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) would have discretion to shorten the required distance for lots where the separation would be unduly burdensome. One council member said the council would "review it before we vote on it," indicating more staff or legal clarification will precede final action.

The proposed amendment appears on the city's agenda as Ordinance No. 2025-28, amending sections of chapter 13.23 (Fences) of the codified ordinances of the City of Wickliffe, Ohio; council discussion during this meeting did not include a final vote on the ordinance.

If adopted as currently drafted, the change would require gates in new rear-yard fences when a four-foot maintenance strip would otherwise be inaccessible; homeowners who believe the requirement is excessive may request a variance from the BZA. The council did not adopt the ordinance at this meeting and indicated it would review wording and process before a vote.