Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Fences topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rawlins council approves Title 19 fence changes, rejects grandfathering in final vote
Summary
After extended debate about financial hardship for existing businesses, Rawlins City Council approved amendments to Title 19 on fences and industrial uses on Dec. 2, 2025, voting to remove grandfathering provisions by a 5-2 margin.
Rawlins City Council voted on Dec. 2 to approve a package of amendments to Title 19 of the municipal code that revises rules for fences and several industrial uses, and the council approved the final reading on a motion explicitly amended to remove grandfathering provisions.
Councilwoman Lumen moved to “untable and approve the third and final reading and waiving the reading of the ordinance amending Title 19,” and then amended the motion to specify the ordinance would be adopted without grandfather clauses. The ordinance text cited by staff amends multiple sections (including definitions and schedule-of-uses language) related to junk, salvage/wrecking yards, towing businesses, impound yards and fence height rules.
Why it mattered: the central disagreement was whether the city should require existing industrial or commercial properties that now meet code to change when the standard is raised. Opponents warned that removing grandfathering would impose costs on businesses; supporters said uniform enforcement and alignment with building codes would simplify enforcement and public safety oversight.
Councilmember Elliot warned of the burden on property owners, saying removing grandfathering “would be a hardship on our current citizens with the fences that they currently have.” Vice Mayor Garner pressed for a grandfathering approach as well: “So, I guess my question is, what, why wouldn't we want a grandfather for them?” City legal and planning staff responded that the 8-foot fence standard aligns with the International Building Code and NFPA life-safety standards and that staff recommend a phased approach with Board of Adjustment review and hardship consideration.
The final vote: after online voting the amended motion (adopting the ordinance without grandfather clauses) passed with five yeas and two nays; Vice Mayor Garner and Councilmember Elliot recorded the no votes. The council directed staff to work with affected businesses on a phased compliance schedule and noted the Board of Adjustment would be available to consider financial-hardship requests.
What's next: the ordinance, as approved, will be codified in Title 19; staff indicated they will return to council with implementation details and timelines (the motion and debate included multiple references to a spring/early-summer compliance window and Board of Adjustment processes).
