Fences (Residential and Agricultural Zoning Districts)

Residential Zoning Districts:

Standards:

  • No fence greater than six (6′) feet in height (excluding plant and vegetation matter) shall be erected on any residential property.
  • All fences must be constructed so that the finished side faces the adjacent property and structural members must be hidden or on the inside of a fence (i.e. the good side must face out).
  • No fence shall be erected within any residential front yard greater than forty-eight (48″) inches in height without meeting the following standards:
    • Picket fences shall have a minimum of two (2″) inch spacing between each vertical piece of fencing and each vertical piece of fencing shall not be wider than four (4″) inches.
    • Split rail fences shall have two (2) horizontal rails not more than six (6″) inches in width.
    • Chain link fences shall be transparent.
    • All fences must be constructed so that the finished side faces the adjacent property.
    • All structural members must be hidden or on the inside of a fence.
  • No fence shall be constructed within any road right-of-way or highway right-of-way.

Exception:

Residential parcels meeting the following requirement are excluded from residential requirements but must meet the agricultural zoning district requirements:

Agricultural Zoning Districts:

Standards:

  • No fence shall be erected within any agricultural zoned front yard greater than forty-eight (48″) inches in height meeting the following standards for construction:
    • Picket fences shall be allowed having a minimum of two (2″) inch spacing between each vertical piece of fencing and all vertical picket fencing must not be wider than four (4″) inches.
    • Split rail fences with two (2) horizontal rails not to exceed six (6″) inches in width are allowed within a residential front yard area.
    • Chain link fences that are transparent are allowed within a residential front yard.
  • No fence shall be constructed within any road right-of-way or highway right-of-way.

Exception:

A fence keeping farm animals inside may be constructed to a greater height if made of transparent wire fencing.

Thomas Township