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Welcome arrow Permits/Applications/Licensing arrow Other Misc Permits arrow Fences
Fences

A permit is not required for a fence that is six (6) feet in height or less.  Fences over six (6) feet in height are required to get a building permit.  Please contact the Building Code Enforcement Division at 636-949-7345 to discuss the permit process.

All fences must meet the following requirements of the Unified Development Ordinance Section 405.415.F. Section 405.415

 fence
 F.         Required front yards in all districts shall be devoted to landscaping, ingress and egress driveways, fences, sidewalks,
             and exceptions as further provided herein Section 405.415.  Fences in the "A" or "R" Districts are permitted as follows: 

            1.         General Conditions.

                        a.         A fence may be located on a lot line, but no such fence shall protrude in full or part on adjacent property or
                                    right-of-way.

                        b.         Fence height shall be measured from an established grade to the top most section of the fence.  Where
                                     the grade forms a contour, the fence shall be required to maintain the same contour.

                        c.         All portions of any fence must be constructed of the same or harmonious material.  Fences consisting of
                                    solid metal panels are prohibited.  All vertical and/or horizontal supports and cross members must face
                                    the interior of the lot.

                        d.         Fences shall be maintained by the property owner according to all other codes of St. Charles County.

                        e.         Fences on corner lots must observe the sight triangle requirement as defined in Section 405.415 (K) as
                                    follows:

K.        No structure, planting, or other object that is an obstruction to vision shall be placed or be permitted in areas of corner lots as described except as approved by the County Engineer or the Director of Development Review.  No structure, planting, or other object greater than three (3) feet in height above street grade is allowed within the sight triangle described below.  However, vegetation (i.e., tree limbs) may overhang such an area, provided that it does not extend lower than seven (7) feet from the ground.  The areas of corner lots to which this restriction applies are: 

1.         The triangular area formed by intersecting property lines (or their extension,
             in the case of rounded corners) and a line connecting those intersecting
             lines at points  thirty (30) feet from their intersection; and 

2.         The triangular area formed by intersecting edges of street pavement and of
             driveway or alley pavement and a line connecting those intersecting edges
             at points ten (10) feet from their intersection.

            2.         Fences in Residential Districts and subdivisions in the Agricultural District.  A fence may be erected or 
                        constructed subsequent to compliance with all County ordinances as well as the following criteria. 

                        a.         Interior and Corner Lots:

                                    (1)        Front Yards - Fences in required front yards are prohibited on interior lots.  Fences on corner lots
                                                 shall be permitted on the frontage to the side of the principal structure with a setback of one (1) foot
                                                 from the street right-of-way line provided that there are no principal structures facing such street
                                                 within the same block.  The maximum height is six (6) feet. 

                                    (2)        Side Yards - All fences shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.  There is no openness requirement. 

                                    (3)        Rear Yards - All fences shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.  There is no openness requirement. 

                                    (4)        Notwithstanding the above height restrictions, masonry pillars, including decorations and
                                                appurtenances thereon, in conjunction with ornamental iron fences, can not be more than
                                                twenty-five (25) percent higher than the attached fence and not be wider than twenty-four (24) inches.

                        b.         Through Lots:  Fences on through lots shall comply with the foregoing regulations; however, if all principal
                                    structures in the same block face the same street or direction, and there is no vehicular access to the
                                    street in the same block which the principal structure does not face, a fence may be constructed with a
                                    setback of one (1) foot from the street right-of-way line on such yard that has no principal structures facing
                                    such street and vehicular access to such street within the same block.

G.        Barbed wire and above ground electrical fences will not be allowed in yards in "R" Districts.

   
 
 
© 2009 St Charles County Government - (636) 949-7900 Community Development