DON'T FENCE ME IN! ...AT LEAST, NOT WITHOUT AN OTC PERMIT...

As a result of fence complaints and to provide some oversight and guidelines to remedy such and other situations, the Planning Commission and Town Board have worked on and adopted a fence ordinance. When required, permits for fences are over-the-counter and are inspected by the Building Official. The application fee is $25 for Clerk time and any Building Official inspection fees are to be paid by permit holder.

FIRST and IMPORTANT, fences used for agricultural purposes on agricultural land are EXEMPT from this ordinance and do not require a permit.




Also, although a fence IS a structure, it is exempt from structure setbacks given in the Ordinances.

BOUNDARY FENCES are in a special category. There are three scenarios that may exist for such fences:

1. If the survey monuments are still in place, these may be relied on.
2. If there are no survey monuments, the Building Official can and shall require a survey to be made.

BUT,

3. If the involved landowners agree to the placement of the fence, they have the option of entering into a written, legal agreement which must be recorded at the Dakota County Recorder's Office and proof of such filed with the Township.


IN ALL CASES, the fence and any underground footings or supports must be located entirely on the the property owned by the landowner erecting the fence.

The Ordinance describes appropriate materials, which must be put up in a workmanlike manner and maintained in good repair.




The maximum height for residential fences is six feet.

The "good side" (finished side) must face the neighbor's property.

Security fences may be topped with barbed wire, except when on property abutting residential property. If the top of such a fence is angled, it may not extend over the neighboring property.

Traffic sightlines may not be obstructed on corner lots.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS and exact wording, please see website and/or Town Clerk.