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Commissioners debate proposed ban on unconventional fence materials and electric/razor wire limits
Summary
A proposed prohibition on unconventional fencing materials (tarps, roofing supplies, pallets) and limits on barbed/razor/electric wire prompted commissioners to ask for clearer rural and agricultural exemptions and confirm existing nonconforming installations would generally be grandfathered.
The commission spent extensive time on proposed fence and wall standards, including a drafted prohibition on unconventional materials such as tarps, roofing supplies and pallets, and suggested limits on barbed wire, razor wire and electric fencing when not used for agriculture or commercial activities.
The presenter described the prohibition as an attempt to prevent 'junkyard' or offensive installations. "Prohibited materials would include kind of materials that aren't really intended for fencing. Tarps, roofing supplies, pallets," the presenter said.
Several commissioners pushed back, arguing the draft could inadvertently restrict common rural practices. Commissioner Fowley noted that many rural properties use pallets or metal roofing for fences and that electric tape is common for horse and livestock fencing. He warned the language could force common agricultural practices to require director approvals. "If I wanna use pallets up for a fence, that now I have to go to the planning director to get approval. I've got a problem with that," Fowley said.
Staff acknowledged the need for clearer exemptions for agricultural uses and for nonconforming existing fences. They suggested refining the code to restrict prohibitions to contexts where the material constitutes a public nuisance while leaving working-farm fencing and rural residential solutions intact.
