Springfield prohibits barbed wire, metal spikes, and other sharp materials on residential fences and bans electrified fences citywide. Chain-link fences must be installed knuckle-up with the barb at or near the ground. Commercial and industrial B-1, B-2, I-1 and I-2 districts may use sharp materials only above six feet.
Material rules are in Springfield Code of Ordinances Sec. 155.069. In residential districts, subsection (a)(4) provides that no fence may be constructed with barbed wire, metal spikes, or any other sharp pointed materials; all chain link fences must be installed with the knuckle portion up and the barb portion at or near the ground; and no fence may be electrified. In commercial and industrial districts, subsection (b)(4) permits fences in the B-1, B-2, I-1 and I-2 districts to be constructed with barbed wire, metal spikes, or other sharp pointed materials only where the sharp materials are erected at least six feet above ground level but not higher than eight feet. Subsection (b)(5) requires commercial/industrial chain link to have the barbed portion at or near the ground unless installed at least six feet up, and likewise prohibits any electrified fence. These provisions are part of Title XV (Land Usage), Chapter 155 (Zoning), Article IV (Bulk Regulations).
Installing prohibited materials (barbed wire, spikes, or sharp points on a residential fence, an electrified fence anywhere, or sharp materials below six feet in B-1/B-2/I-1/I-2) is a Chapter 155 zoning violation. Because the fence also typically exceeds four feet and requires a permit, a non-compliant fence built without a permit is subject to the standard fines for building structures without a permit, plus any additional penalties under the chapter, and may be ordered modified or removed.
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