Schenectady limits residential fence height to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards. Fences over the limit require a zoning variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Materials must be approved (no barbed wire or electrified fences in residential zones), and the finished side must face outward toward neighbors and the street.
Schenectady regulates fences under the Zoning Code (Chapter 264) and Property Maintenance Code. In residential zones, fences in front yards may not exceed 4 feet in height, and fences in side and rear yards may not exceed 6 feet. Corner lots have a sight-triangle restriction near intersections that limits fence height to 3 feet in the visibility area to protect drivers.
Approved materials include wood, vinyl, chain link, decorative metal, and masonry. Barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fences are prohibited in residential zones; they are permitted in industrial zones with a permit. The finished or smooth side of the fence (the side without rails or supports) must face the adjoining property or the street; this is enforceable by Code Enforcement on complaint.
Fences over 6 feet, or fences that do not meet the standard requirements, require a zoning variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). The Stockade Historic District, designated on the National Register, requires additional design review by the Historic District Commission for any new or replaced fence; materials are typically limited to wood pickets, wrought iron, and historically appropriate styles. Building permits are required for fences over 6 feet or for masonry fences over 4 feet.
Building a fence over the height limit, with prohibited materials, or with the rough side facing out is a code violation. Notices of violation give 30 days to correct. Failure to comply can result in fines of $250 per offense plus a daily continuing-violation fee. The city may seek a court order to require removal at the owner's expense.
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