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CASE fl <br /> <br /> DISCUSSION REGARDING SETBACKS FOR FENCES <br /> By: Zoning Administrator Sylvia Frolik <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />City Code currently states that fences shall be located entirely on the owner's property and <br />placement ofilth¢~fence is the responsibility of the owner. From time to time, we get calls from <br />residents expt~ess{ng dissatisfaction with an adjoining neighbor's fence and comments that the City <br />should consider adopting setbacks for fences. <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />The following is a summary of regulations for fences in residential districts in Ramsey and some of <br />the surrounding communities: <br /> <br /> 7 <br /> <br />City ~;etback from On Common Property Line Within <br /> ~roperty Line Easements <br />Andover i None (10 ft for No Yes, at owner's risk <br /> ~,nces over 6' high) <br />Anoka ~ ~oi~e w/written permission from neighbor Yes, at owner's risk <br />Champlin ': ' None Yes Yes, at owners risk <br />Dayton ~ l~lone ? Yes, at owner's risk <br />Elk Ri. vet r l~lone w/written permission from neighbor Yes, at owner's risk <br />Ham Lake .', i Il/one w/written permission from neighbor Yes, at owner's risk <br />Blaine ~qone No Yes, at owner's risk <br />Coon Rapids i ~one Yes Yes, at owner's risk <br />Ramsey ' ~ ~one No Yes, at owner's risk <br /> <br />RecommendatiOn: <br /> <br />City Staff recommends that no action be taken to establish setbacks for fences. If we establish a <br />setback, then! the City takes on an additional obligation to enforce it and accept some of the <br />responsibility for locating property lines. Often times, fences are erected between disputing <br />neighbors arid enforcement of setbacks will consume an unreasonable amount of staff time when <br />you are dealffig With two disagreeable property owners. Even requiring written permission from <br />one of the ne{ghbors for a fence to be on the common property line is setting the City up to be <br />involved in a feud versus what would otherwise have to be resolved as a civil matter between two <br />neighbors. If:two neighbors get along and want to put the fence on the line, then why should the <br />City get involved;9 If they don't get along, then the fence will have to be on either side of the line. <br /> <br />CommisSion Action: <br /> <br />Will be based on your discussion. <br /> <br />Review CheCklist: <br /> <br />City Administrator <br />Building Official <br />Project Manager <br />Zoning Administrator <br /> <br />P&Z: <br /> <br />10/6/92 <br /> <br /> <br />