This article covers how to get a Residential Zoning Certificate for building a fence in Powell, Ohio. Before starting a fence installation in Powell, Ohio please check out the guide below.
Please note that we will try to keep this information up to date but we do not represent the City of Powell.
Where do you get a fence permit in Powell?
You obtain a Residential Zoning Certificate for building a fence by filing an Application for a Residential Zoning Certificate For A Fence with the City of Powell Building Department.
You can contact them at:
City of Powell Building Department
47 Hall Street
Powell, OH 43065
(614)885-5380
https://cityofpowell.us/government/building-department/
What do you need to include with Application for Residential Zoning Certificate?
PERMIT REQUIREMENTS:
- Completed application for Residential Zoning Certificate.
2. $40.00 Non-Refundable Fee, Payable to the City of Powell
3. Site Plan – 2 Copies
- Show dimensions of fence as well as dimensions of house to property line in a scaled drawing. – Give clear indication of location of the fence.
4. Design Plan – 2 Copies
- Type of fence (i.e. split rail, picket, good-neighbor, etc.)
- Materials (i.e. wood/cedar, stone, masonry, metal, etc.)
- Color
5. Elevation/Section Plans – 2 Copies
- Height – Note: Maximum height is five (5) feet.
- Cross Sections
- Method of Fastening
6. Developer/Homeowner Association Approval (if applicable)
Rules regarding Fences in the Code of Ordinances for Powell, Ohio
CHAPTER 521 – HEALTH, SAFETY AND SANITATION
521.07 – FENCES.
(a) No person shall erect or maintain any fence charged with electrical current.
(b) No person shall erect or maintain a barbed wire fence which abuts or is adjacent to any public street or sidewalk. This subsection (b) does not prevent the placement and use of not more than three strands of barbed wire on top of a fence other than a barbed wire fence, provided such strands are not less than 72 inches from the ground.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
CHAPTER 1145 – SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS
1145.11 – FENCE AND WALL RESTRICTIONS IN FRONT YARDS.
In any required front yard, no fence or wall shall be permitted which materially impedes vision across such yard above the height of two and one-half feet.
1145.34 – FENCES, WALLS, SHRUBBERY, AND HEDGES IN “RESIDENCE” (R), “OLD POWELL RESIDENCE” (OPR), AND “PLANNED RESIDENCE” (PR) DISTRICTS, AS WELL AS IN ALL RESIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF OTHER PLANNED DISTRICTS; PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this section to promote and protect the public health, welfare and safety by establishing regulations controlling the use of fences, walls, shrubbery and hedges, assuring residents of residential areas privacy and personal preference in landscape design within their own properties subject to and with due consideration of the environment of neighbors, the appearance of the community as a whole, and the safety of the public and the individual.
(a) Definitions.
(1) Fence: Any structure regardless of its composition, including a wall that is erected in such a manner or position so as to enclose, partially enclose, or divide any property or part thereof from an adjoining premises. Trellises or other structures supporting vegetation, when erected in such a position as to enclose, partially enclose, or divide any premises from an adjoining premises, shall also be considered a fence.
(2) Solid fence (wall): Those structures which have less than 50 percent free and open space. Gates and openings shall not be counted as free or open space when determining whether or not a fence is considered solid. Structures erected on other than on lot lines or in close proximity to lot lines or easement lines which have a solely ornamental purpose and which do not in fact serve the purpose of enclosing, or partially enclosing, or dividing a premises or any part thereof from an adjoining premises shall not be included within the definitions of the words “fence” or “wall.”
(3) Barbed wire fence: A wire fence with metal barbs or sharp points protruding at intervals.
(4) Chain link fence: A fence made of metal consisting of loops of wire interconnected in a series of formed links.
(5) Electrified fence: A fence or structure designed to carry an electric charge, impulse, or shock when same comes into contact with any other object, person, or thing, or which causes or may cause burns to any person or animal.
(6) Open ornamental fence: Any structure composed of wood or metal constructed for beauty or decorative effect having not less than 50 percent free and open space. Such fences include “rail” or “split rail” fences, meaning fences constructed of narrow, whole or split wooden timbers placed horizontally between upright supporting poles, and “picket” fences, meaning a fence with an open face made of upright poles or slats.
(7) Stockade/privacy fence: Any structure consisting of a row of large pointed or flat stakes, slats, or posts placed upright against each other or made of interwoven strips or slats of flexible or semi-flexible materials, or made of a series of slats placed at an angle or position so as to provide air but to deflect light perpendicular to its vertical plane, or similar structure.
(8) Shrubbery of hedges: Natural growth without thorns placed in a series and intended to be utilized as a fence as otherwise provided herein.
(b) Requirements.
(1) No fence or wall located in a rear yard area shall exceed five feet in height above the finished grade. In any required front yard, no fence or wall shall be permitted which practically impedes vision across such yard above the height of two and one-half feet, and no hedge or other vegetation shall be permitted which materially impedes vision across such yard between the height of two and one-half and six and one-half feet.
(2) Supporting members for wall and fences shall be installed so as not to be visible from any other property which adjoins or faces the fences or walls being installed. This requirement shall not apply to fences or walls which are designed so that supporting members are identical in appearance on both sides of the fence or wall.
(c) Permit and Inspection.
No fence or wall shall be erected or constructed until a fence permit has been issued by the Zoning Administrator who shall review each request to determine compliance with this Section. Application for such permit shall be made in writing by the property owner or individual in possession of such property and shall be accompanied by plans or drawings showing the actual shape and dimension of the lot on which the fence or wall is to be erected, the exact height, location, length, type of material, and type of construction of such proposed fence or wall and the location of all buildings on the lot and on adjoining lots. The fee for such fence or wall permit shall be established by Council. All fences which have been inspected and are in compliance with the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance shall receive a certificate of compliance.
(d) Prohibited Fences or Walls.
Prohibited fences or walls include any fence exceeding five feet in height, barbed wire fences, chain link fences, interwoven (plastic, metal, fiber glass or similar composition) fences, stockade type fences consisting of a row of large pointed or flat stakes, slats or poles placed upright against each other, and boundary line (including property and easement boundary lines) electrified fences.
(e) Permitted Fences.
(1) Open, ornamental fences, and shrubbery fences or hedges shall be permitted styles of fences within the municipality of Powell. Privacy fences will only be permitted in rear or side yards subject to the following:
(2) Privacy fences of any material may be erected not more than five feet in height, measured from the grade, providing written consent is obtained from record owners of all adjacent lots and all lots within 200 feet. Written consent by the record owners of the aforementioned parcels, both affected and adjoining, must be filed with the Zoning Administrator.
(3) Fences or walls of wood or masonry construction not more than six feet in height as measured from the floor grade of a patio or deck may be erected around the perimeter of said patio or deck as long as no portion of said patio or deck, fence or wall, is within a required setback, natural open space preserve, or easement.
(f)Trees, Shrubbery, and Hedges.
Trees, shrubbery, and/or hedges shall only be permitted in locations that are outside of established utility and drainage easements. Any tree, shrub, or hedge found to be located on public property or in an established utility or drainage easement may be removed by the Municipality at any time.
(g) Location of Fences.
(1) All fences or walls constructed in accordance with this Zoning Ordinance shall be erected in a manner consistent with the maintenance of good surface drainage. Any construction of fences will be made to insure the proper drainage on the subject property and adjacent or servient properties. In no event shall any person interdict or interfere with any existing tile or surface drain channels or areas which have either shown or have been designated as surface drainage channels unless it is fully determined beyond doubt that such tile or channel can be removed or relocated without interfering with the drainage of adjacent properties or parcels. No fence will be constructed or installed within the Municipality in the course of any easement for public utilities or drainage easement without the approval of the public utility and with concurrence of the City Engineer and Zoning Administrator. Any denial of concurrence by the City Engineer or Zoning Administrator shall be in writing and shall state the basis therefor. Fences shall not be located within a public right-of-way. All structural members used in the construction of fences shall be on the interior side of the fence. All permitted fences shall have no less than three inches of distance between the ground and the fence to promote good surface drainage.
(2) On a corner lot, no fence or wall shall be erected, placed, planted, allowed to grow, or maintained within the triangular yard space formed by the intersecting street lines and a line joining points on such street lines 50 feet from the point of intersection of the street lines.
(h) Maintenance.
All permitted fences and walls shall be maintained in good condition, shall be structurally sound, and shall be attractively finished at all times. Any grounds between such structures or fences and property lines shall be maintained in a neat, clean, and well cared for condition at all times. The Zoning Administrator for the Municipality of Powell may issue citations for fences or walls which are in disrepair.
(i) Penalty.
(1) Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or entity which constructs, erects, or places a fence in violation of this Zoning Ordinance or causes or permits a fence to be erected in violation of this Zoning Ordinance shall be fined not more than $25.00 per day. Each day that said violation continues shall be considered a separate offense. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or entity which fails to repair a fence after being notified that a repair is required shall be fined not more than $25.00 per day for violation of this Zoning Ordinance. Each day said fence continues in a state of disrepair shall be considered a separate offense.
(2) In addition to all other penalties contained herein, the municipality of Powell may seek an order from a Court of competent jurisdiction for removal of any fence which violates the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance.
(j) Variance. Variances from the above requirements, except for corner lots, may be permitted by the Board of Zoning Appeals without a public hearing if written consent is obtained by all record owners and affected properties. Additionally, the Planning and Zoning Commission or the Board of Zoning Appeals may, when acting within their review procedures, exempt a fence or wall from this Zoning Ordinance when it is determined that the health, safety, or general welfare would be best served by such an exemption.
(Ord. No. 91-40; Ord. No. 98-25, 8-4-1998; Ord. No. 2017-60 , § 1, 12-19-2017)