In R1 and RM residential districts, Utica allows fences up to six feet high in any side, rear, or corner side yard. In front yards, solid fences may not exceed three feet, and no fence goes up without a fence permit.
Section 2-29-585 governs fence height by district and yard. Residential (R1, RM) fences may reach six feet in side, rear, or corner side yards. Solid front-yard fences are capped at three feet. Fences abutting an alley may reach 5 1/2 feet; those abutting a business use or parking lot, or on residential lots backing a major thoroughfare, may reach six feet. In mixed-use and industrial districts (UMU, NMU, I, IMU) an open fence in an interior side or rear yard may reach six feet, and open fences for public utility or recreation uses may reach eight feet.
Fences without a required permit or exceeding height limits are zoning violations enforced by the Department of Codes Enforcement; correction or removal may be ordered plus penalties under the City Code.
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