Commission to research electric-fence and fence-appearance rules after resident complaints
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Summary
Commissioners discussed citizen complaints about an electric fence and use of pallets/skids as fencing in neighborhoods. Building Commissioner Tom Fouch inspected a reported electric fence and found it located entirely on the owner's property; staff will research ordinance options and circulate a packet for further discussion.
Commissioners discussed recent citizen complaints about electric fences and about makeshift fences built from pallets and shipping skids. The discussion did not result in an ordinance change; instead staff will research the issue and present options to the commission for further consideration.
A commissioner said residents asked whether the county has an electric-fence ordinance for neighborhoods; staff said no specific electric-fence provision currently exists in the county fence ordinance. Tom Fouch, the county building commissioner, inspected a reported electric fence and told staff he was satisfied it was entirely on the property of the homeowner and that the construction and appearance met requirements in that case.
Staff and commissioners noted the need to balance property-owner rights with neighborhood character. Commissioners suggested the conversation could include revisions to the fence ordinance to address electric fencing specifically and to clarify language about temporary or improvised fencing materials such as pallets or skids. Staff said they will assemble a packet of information and legal context, circulate it to commissioners, and plan to revisit the topic at a future meeting.
