Village of Roscoe Ordinance Chapter 155 Article VII Section 15-522 requires the following information be submitted to apply for a zoning permit for a fence
• Permit fee of $25.00 paid to the Village of Roscoe
• Zoning Permit Application signed by owner and applicant
• Sketch or drawing to include dimensions and location on lot (aerial of property showing lot lines and dimensions can be found at wingis.org)
• Type of material
• Verification that fence location is not in an easement
Sec. 15-522. - Fence regulations.
(a)Generally. All fences erected within the village are required to comply with the following provisions, as well as all other provisions of this Code.
(1)A fence may be located on a lot line, but no such fence shall protrude in full or part onto any adjacent property. A fence not located on a lot line shall be setback a minimum of three feet to accommodate fence and property maintenance.
(2)The fence height shall be measured from an established grade to the topmost section of the fence. When the grade forms a contour, the fence shall be required to maintain the same contour.
(3)All portions of a fence shall be constructed of consistent materials. Changes in materials or construction are permitted when doing so responds to a change in the function or context of the fence, such adjacent land use, visibility from the public street, etc.
(4)All fences shall be constructed of materials that are complementary of and integral to the structural system supporting it.
(5)All supporting poles must be placed on the inside of the property where the fence is erected, and the finished side must face out away from the property.
(6)No fence shall be constructed in any public right-of-way, landscape, or stormwater and/or drainage easement. No fence shall obstruct a utility easement except when a release has been given in writing by the owner of the property absolving the village and/or utility company doing the work from all liability and damages resulting from the repair, inspection, maintenance, installation or removal of utilities. The village and/or utility company shall in no way be held liable for the replacement, repair, or re-erection of any fence within the easement.
(b)Fences, residential. Any fence erected within a residentially zoned district must be in compliance with the following criteria, as well as all other provisions of this Code.
(1)Front yards. Front and corner side yard fences shall not exceed four feet in height and shall be at least 50 percent open in the front yard.
(2)Side yards. No fence, except as provided for in other provisions of this Code, shall exceed six feet in height.
(3)Rear yards. No fence, except as provided for in other provisions of this Code, shall exceed six feet in height.
(4)A fence located in a residential area shall be of any suitable construction material or type, including decorative masonry or brick, finished wood, decorative metal, decorative vinyl, or other aesthetically appropriate systems.
(5)Residential fences shall not be constructed of unfinished or temporary materials of a primarily utilitarian nature, such as chicken wire, square welded mesh wire, chain link, barbed wire, electrically charged fence or wire, temporary snow fence, solid concrete block, or fence topped with sharp edged materials. However, vinyl coated chain link shall be allowed in rear yards only.
(c)Fences, nonresidential. Any fence erected within a nonresidential district must be in compliance with the following criteria as well as all other provisions of this Code.
(1)Front yards. Front and corner side yard fences shall not be permitted.
(2)Side yards and rear yards. No fence shall exceed eight feet in height. No fence shall be allowed to extend past the front yard or the side yard building line on a corner lot, unless granted approval by the village.
(3)Any fence enclosure blocking access to any area or structure open to the public must meet the current accessibility criteria as established by the Americans with Disability Act (1990), 42 USC 12101 et seq., and the Illinois Accessibility Code, promulgated pursuant to 410 ILCS 25/4.
(d)Construction. Construction materials shall be the same as for residential districts, with the exception that barbed wire may be used within industrial districts. Barbed wire shall only be constructed above a height of eight feet from established grade, shall be turned to the inside of the property where erected, and not be closer than five feet from any public place or residential property. Construction and safety requirements shall be as follows:
(1)Every fence shall be designed to have a minimum life expectancy of 20 years, with the performance of the minimum necessary maintenance.
(2)All fences shall be designed and constructed to resist a horizontal wind pressure of 15 pounds per square foot (approximately 120 miles per hour winds).
(3)All fences shall have an exterior gate access to the enclosed property.(e)Maintenance. Fence maintenance shall be the responsibility of the property owner, in accordance with all provisions of this Code. Fences shall be maintained in accordance with the adopted property maintenance code of the county. The replacement of up to 20 lineal feet of fence shall be permitted without a permit.