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Request to keep over‑height front fence denied after board cites precedent and permit rules
Summary
A homeowner who installed a front fence without a permit sought a variance to keep the portion exceeding the 4-foot front visibility requirement; the board declined the variance after members raised precedent and safety concerns.
A homeowner identified by the board as Ms. Farley asked for a variance after installing a fence that extends beyond the front of her home; she said she had not known a permit was required and later obtained one. An inspector described the fence as tapering from 6 feet down to about 4 feet near the roadway and estimated roughly 67 feet of fence out of code. Farley said she had a friend install the fence and that she was low on funds to alter it.
Board members noted the precedent risk of granting variances for fences installed without prior permitting and emphasized the 4-foot/50% open requirement for front yard visibility. After a motion to put the variance on the floor, roll-call votes by several members recorded 'no' and the variance was not approved. Staff offered to meet with the homeowner to show how to make adjustments that would meet code (drop to 4 feet and include 50% openness) and provide guidance on permitted fence profiles.
