Board narrows theft‑deterrent wire rules, banning razor/concertina in residential zones and preserving barbed‑wire allowance for some commercial uses

The York County Board of Supervisors on March 3 adopted clarified zoning standards intended to limit high‑security "theft‑deterrent" wire in residential settings while providing clearer standards for commercial and industrial properties.

Planning staff presented amendments that explicitly prohibit razor and concertina wire in residential districts, permit limited barbed wire and low‑energy electrified fencing for livestock and agricultural uses consistent with state law, and describe performance standards for garden‑ and wildlife‑deterrent fencing (maximum heights and placement near protected areas). The revisions also limit residential deterrent fences to rear yards and cap garden deterrent areas at 1,000 square feet where appropriate.

Board discussion focused on the adjacency of commercial and residential zones. Members agreed to remove razor and concertina wire from the general definition of theft‑deterrent wire so the default residential standard would allow only lower‑impact measures (for instance, barbed wire where appropriate) while preserving a pathway for commercial or industrial applicants to request administrative exceptions for higher‑grade security fencing when justified. Legal counsel confirmed additional administrative or special‑use review will be required where an applicant seeks atypical materials near residential parcels.

The ordinance was adopted as amended (referenced as O26‑2 R1 in the meeting record). The board voted that the code language should make clear that barbed wire on commercial property must remain on the property owner's side of the property line and cannot extend across a property boundary. Supervisors said the rules aim to balance safety and business security needs with neighborhood character and visual impacts.

Action taken: the board adopted the amended ordinance O26‑2 R1 to clarify theft‑deterrent wire standards, explicitly prohibiting razor and concertina wire in residential zones and outlining performance standards and administrative-exception processes for commercial/industrial areas.