Rawlins council tables proposed Title 19 changes over grandfathering, electrified fences

The Rawlins City Council tabled a proposed set of amendments to Title 19 (land use and zoning) after extended discussion on Nov. 4, 2025.

Attorney Mayberry reviewed the draft ordinance and told the council the primary outstanding issues were whether to include a grandfathering clause for existing features and how state statutes interact with proposed local requirements. Staff and councilors focused on two contested items: a proposed prohibition of electrified fences in some zones and a suggested increase of required industrial fence height from 6 to 8 feet. Mayberry noted the citys authority is constrained by existing Wyoming statutes, and cited the Junkyard Control Act and Wyoming statute 15-1-601 in connection with screening requirements.

Council members asked for clearer, line-by-line versions that identify which subsections would include a grandfather clause and which would not. After debate and a clerical re-vote, council moved to table the ordinance so staff could return with clarified language, statutory citations, and a list of properties that would be affected by any change to fence height or electrified-fence rules.

Council signaled two aims in tabling the item: to avoid imposing retroactive compliance costs on businesses and residents without clear legal authority, and to provide a public record identifying existing fences that would be affected if the ordinance changed. No final ordinance vote was taken.