FENCES on your property

You may install a fence on your property WITHOUT a Construction Permit (unless the fence is more than 8 feet high.)  However, Zoning restrictions apply.  The Township ordinances on fences are summarized in a handout available at Town Hall.  The handout is printed below:
 

FENCES IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES   The intent of this package is to provide information concerning the Township regulations regarding fences in residential zones. Section 154, which is attached, is the primary applicable section of the ordinance. The definition of a "front yard" is found in the definition section of our ordinance.  A copy is attached, This definition is important since corner lots or properties where more than one side of the lot faces a street must comply as "front yards" for all yards facing a street. For corner properties or other properties located at the intersection of 2 or more streets, it is very important to review Section 157.5.  If your property is impacted by this section, and you are not sure if you understand it, you may submit a copy of the property survey to the Construction Dept. and we can assist you in interpreting the ordinance. Finally, be aware that fences may not be constructed within any type of easement or sight triangle. Fences may also not be placed in such a manner as to adversely effect drainage. 154  FENCES, WALLS AND HEDGES, STREET STREET FURNITURE, TRASH AND RECYCLING STORAGE 154.1  Fences, Walls and Hedges All permitted fences shall be situated on a lot in such a manner that the finished side of the fence shall face adjacent properties.  No fence shall be erected of barbed wire, topped with metal spikes, nor constructed of any material or in any manner which may be dangerous to persons or animals, except that these provisions shall not apply to farms.   No fence, wall or hedge shall be permitted to adversely affect visibility at either street or driveway intersections within the space defined as a sight triangle.   On any lot in any zone, no fence, wall or hedge shall be erected or altered so that said fence, wall or hedge shall be over four (4) feet in height in front yard areas and eight (8) feet in height in side and rear yard areas, with the following provisions and exceptions:   Living hedges may grow to an unlimited height in side and rear yard areas provided no portion of the hedge shall be permitted to encroach over adjacent property lines. A dog run area may have fencing a maximum of six (6) feet in height provided such area is located in rear yard areas only and is set back from any lot line at least fifteen (15) feet. A private residential swimming pool, shall be surrounded by a fence at least four (4) feet but no more than six (6) feet in height, with a self-latching gate. A tennis court area, located in rear yard areas only, may be surrounded by a fence a maximum of twelve (12) feet in height;  said fence to be set back from any lot line the distance required for accessory buildings in the applicable zoning district. Yard, front - An open unoccupied space extending across the full width of the lot between the front street line and the nearest building.  The depth of such space shall be the shortest distance measured from the street line to the nearest point of such building. 133  YARD AND BUILDING REQUIREMENTS   All yards facing on a public street shall be considered front yards and shall conform to the minimum front yard requirements for the zone in which located.  Corner and through lots shall provide the minimum front yard requirements for the respective zone for both intersecting streets, for both principal and accessory buildings.  On corner and through lots of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet or less in area, the minimum front yard requirement for one (1) of the fronting streets maybe reduced to not less than sixty (60) percent of the requirement for the zone in which the lot is located.

157.5a  Sight Triangles At the intersection of two (2) or more streets, or a street and any driveway, no vegetation, sign, fence or wall or any other obstruction to vision (other than sign posts) which is higher than thirty (30) inches above curb level shall be permitted in any sight triangle.  Such sight triangle shall be defined as the area between a twenty (20) foot setback from the road or driveway yielding to the main road at the subject intersection, and a distance of ten (10) feet along the centerline of the main road, measured from its intersection with the centerline of the intersecting road or driveway, for every one (1) mile per hour of the posted speed limit on said main road.

Calculate the distance 'D' for your sight triangle:   Speed Limit on main road (MPH)   TOTAL width of main road (in feet)   TOTAL width of side road or driveway (in feet) The distance ('D') along the CURB of the main road from the CORNER is    feet.

BUILDING NUMBERS

All buildings in the township must be street-numbered and the numbers must be clearly displayed.  Time is lost when emergency units (Fire, First Aid and Police) cannot locate your home.

The Code states that numbers are not to be less than 3 inches in height and made of durable, clearly visible material.  When a building is located more than 50 feet from the street line, the house number shall be placed near the walk, driveway, or other appropriate place where it is easily visible from the roadway.

If the proper number is not placed on each household, the Township shall have numbers installed and the charge shall become a lien against the premises.

SMOKE DETECTORS

The standards for smoke detectors are quite complex because the state law has been changed several times in recent years.  This section will not attempt to describe all the variations in the requirements.  It is included only to sensitize the homeowner to the issues involved.

If you put an addition on your house which adds more than 5% to the floor space area of the largest floor of the house, then you will TRIGGER a Smoke Detector review.  The review affects the ENTIRE dwelling, NOT ONLY the addition.

The review will consider when your house was built and the vintage of smoke detectors installed when the house was new (or during later renovations.)  The review will also consider the nature of the additions and the physical extent of the addition or renovation.  When you apply for your Construction Permit, the Fire Subcode Official will evaluate these factors and advise you (or your contractor) just what smoke detector work will be required.

If new or additional smoke detectors are required, they will probably have to meet the following criteria:

• They must operate from household electric current with a battery backup
• They are all wired together in such a way that if one detects smoke, they all sound an alert
• There must be at least one on each level of your house.  In some cases, the Code may ALSO require one in each bedroom.
• The installation will require both an Electrical and a Fire subcode Construction Permit, and two separate inspections.

If the review requires that you must upgrade your smoke detectors, then you should INSIST that the contractor include this in the estimate, and make him show you the permits and the schedule for the smoke detector work.  If he neglects this, you will be stuck arranging for the additional Smoke Detector work yourself at the end of the job.  A Certificate of Occupancy can not be granted for the remodeling/addition until any required Smoke Detector work is inspected and approved.

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

• Since 2003, All commercial buildings and multi-tenant residences must have Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors.
• Single and two family residences must install CO detectors any time ANY work is done which requires a Construction Permit.
• In general, residential CO detectors may be battery operated and a separate detector must be installed within ten feet of the door to every bedroom.
• All CO detector installations are inspected by the Fire Subcode Official.  Battery operated CO detectors require no permit.  If the CO detectors are "wired in" and connected to the house electrical wiring - perhaps in conjunction with a wired smoke detedtor system - then both an electrical PERMIT and an electrical INSPECTION are ALSO required.
• For any work that requires a Construction Permit, you should INSIST that the contractor include CO detectors in the estimate, and make him show you the permits and the schedule for the CO detector work.  If he neglects this, you will be stuck arranging for the additional CO Detector work yourself at the end of the job.  A Certificate of Occupancy can not be granted for the remodeling/addition until any required CO Detector work is inspected and approved.