City of Hartford – Fence Regulations and Permit Guide

DOWNLOAD HARTLAND WI FENCE PERMIT APPLICATION FORM

HARTLAND WI OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Address: 109 N. Main Street, Hartford, WI 53027

Phone: 262-673-8277

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Fence Permit Submittal Requirements

1. Plot Plan (to scale: example: 4″ = 1°; show all structures, streets, easements, overhead power lines)
2. Completed Permit Application: provide names, addresses, phone numbers and license numbers for all contractors.
3. Signed cautionary statement and conditions of approval.
4. Description of fence (style, height).

Code Requirements

Height and placement restrictions vary depending on the type of lot and the location of the fence on the lot. For specific restrictions, please contact the Planning Department at 673-8272.

Other requirements:

• Check your subdivision/homeowners’ association restrictions for any that apply to fences.
• Easement restrictions apply, contact the Planning Department for more information.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT TO OWNERS OBTAINING UDC BUILDING PERMITS

Fence Information

Utility Easement: The City does not forbid closing off an easement, but does not recommend it. If an easement is closed off with a fence, the City and/or Utility may need to gain access to perform work, and damage repair by the City and/or Utility is limited to grass reseeding.

Drainage Easement: Placing a fence over a drainage swale or drainage easement can cause drainage problems. If a fence is placed over a drainage easement or swale, it should be at least 4″ above the grade of the property, if the fence is of a closed style. If the fence is of an open style, it may be placed at grade.

Other Easements: There may be other easements restricting the use of your property. The City does not maintain records of these easements or review them for compliance. It is the property owner’s responsibility to comply with the requirements of any existing easement.

Boundary Disputes: The City cannot involve itself in boundary disputes. The correct placement of the fence is the property owner’s determination and responsibility. A survey may be required to determine the boundary of the property. The City does not inspect for the correct placement of the fence.

Maintenance: If you place your fence up to your lot line, you need to be able to maintain the outer portion of the fence from your lot or have owner permission to enter neighboring properties to maintain the fence. If you choose to place your fence back from your lot line, notifying neighboring property owners that your lot extends past the fence is your responsibility.

Maximum Fence Heights: Fence heights are measured from the ground and include decorative post tops. If you erect a fence with an unfinished and finished side, the finished side should face neighboring properties.

Homeowners’ Association Restrictions: Check with your Homeowners’ Association for any fence restrictions that may apply.

Diggers Hotline: Contact Diggers Hotline for marking your property before starting any digging work.

Additional Zoning Regulations

Below are some additional zoning regulations you should be aware of:

Off-Street Parking Requirements

Combinations of any of the above uses shall provide the total number of stalls required for each individual use. The Zoning Administrator shall enforce off-street parking requirements as defined in this ordinance.

Loading Requirements

On every lot on which a business, trade, or industrial use is established, space with access to a public street or alley shall be provided on the premises for the loading and unloading of vehicles.

Driveways

All driveways installed, altered, changed, replaced, or extended after the effective date of this ordinance shall meet the following requirements:

• In all Residential (Rs) Districts, the minimum distance between driveways shall be ten (10) feet; the minimum distance between driveway and lot line shall be five (5) feet; the maximum width of a driveway shall be 25 feet at the curb line and 20 feet at the right-of-way line. Widening of a driveway on the yard side of the right-of-way line shall provide for yard area at a 45-degree angle from the property line to the yard side of the driveway. Only one (1) driveway per lot is permitted. The minimum distance between driveway and lot line is waived in the case of joint driveways approved by the Plan Commission.
• In all Residential (Rd) Districts, the minimum distance between driveways shall be ten (10) feet; the minimum distance between driveway and lot line shall be five (5) feet; one driveway per dwelling unit is permitted. Where separate driveways are installed, the maximum width shall be 25 feet at the curb line and 20 feet at the right-of-way line. Widening of a driveway on the yard side of the right-of-way line shall provide for yard area at a 45-degree angle from the property line to the yard side of the driveway. Where a common driveway for both dwelling units is installed, the maximum width shall be 45 feet at the curb line, and 36 feet at the right-of-way line, with a 3-foot planting strip between garages. The minimum distance between driveway and lot line is waived in the case of joint driveways approved by the Plan Commission.

Bulk Regulations for Accessory Structures

Detached accessory structures in residential districts, except fences, and satellite and conventional antennas shall observe the following bulk regulations:

• Minimum side yard: 5 feet.
• Minimum rear yard: 5 feet.
• Minimum building separation: No detached accessory structure may be located less than ten (10) feet from any structure on the lot.

Swimming Pools

If you have a swimming pool, a fence or wall with no openings or breaks, except for gates, not less than four (4) feet in height must be placed around the pool or lot on which the pool is located. Alternatively, the pool may be constructed with a self-contained fence and retractable ladder. If the pool is four (4) feet in height above surrounding grade, no fencing is required, but a fold-up ladder that can be locked in the up position shall be required. Swimming pools shall not be located closer than four (4) feet to any wall, fence, or structure.

Fences and Walls

• Residential Districts: Decorative semi-open fences may be constructed and maintained in a required street yard to a maximum height of four (4) feet and shall be set back at least one foot from the street side property line. Decorative semi-open fences up to six feet in height may be allowed in a street yard provided that the fence complies with the minimum street yard building setback requirements. Decorative fences up to six feet in height shall be permitted in the interior side yard and rear yard provided that they are constructed within the lot boundaries. Properties that have received permits for fences prior to the passage of this ordinance (5/13/03) shall be allowed to continue as previously approved.
• Industrial Districts: Fences are permitted in any required yard and shall not exceed a height of ten feet (10″). Barbed wire may be used, but not on any portion of the fence below eight feet (8″).
• Business Districts: Fences are permitted in the required side yard or rear yard and shall not exceed a height of ten feet (10″). Barbed wire may be used, but not on any portion of the fence below eight feet (8″).

Conditional Use Permits

The City Plan Commission may authorize the Zoning Administrator to issue a conditional use permit for conditional uses as specified in each district and in Section 13.0400 after review and a public hearing. The conditional uses and structures must be in accordance with the purpose and intent of this ordinance and should not be hazardous, harmful, offensive, or otherwise adverse to the environment or the value of the neighborhood or the community.

Solar and Wind Energy Collection and Electrical Production Devices

If you plan to install any active solar and wind energy collection, reflection, conversion, generation, transmission, or storage system and device external to the principal use structure or as an accessory or principal use on your property within the City of Hartford, you must secure a permit for the erection of such system or device from the City Building Inspector before installation. The application for the permit must include detailed construction drawings of the entire system, information about the dimensions of the system and the structure to which it is affixed or connected, distances to the boundaries of your property, and the names and addresses of individuals or firms involved in the sale, fabrication, erection, placing, connection, and insuring of such system or device. Additionally, you must provide a site plan showing the location of the system or device on your property and the approximate distance to any structures on adjacent properties, landscaping screens, fences, overhead electric, telephone, and TV cables, and permanent ponds or pools of water. You must also demonstrate compliance with all applicable county, state, and federal regulations, as well as the regulations of the affected electric utility company.

Permit Application Process

No fence, awning, canopy, porch, or other supplemental structure shall be erected or constructed in the City of Hartford until a permit is issued by the Building Inspector. To apply for a permit, you must submit a sketch or design of the structure, along with the location plot plan in duplicate, the name of the builder (if any), a written list of materials to be used, and the estimated cost of the project.

Cautionary Statement for Owners Obtaining UDC Building Permits

Wisconsin Statutes require owners who apply for a building permit to sign a statement advising them of the consequences if the hired contractor is not bonded or insured as required under state law. As an owner obtaining a building permit, you need to acknowledge and accept the following:

• If the contractor is not bonded or insured as required, you may be held liable for any bodily injury to or death of others or any damage to the property of others that arises out of the work performed under the building permit or that is caused by any negligence by the contractor in connection with the work performed under the building permit.
• You may not be able to collect damages from the contractor for any loss sustained by you because of a violation by the contractor of the one and two-family dwelling code or an ordinance enacted under the statute, or because of any bodily injury to or death of others or damage to the property of others that arises out of the work performed under the building permit or because of any bodily injury to or death of others or damage of property that is caused by the negligence of the contractor in connection with the work performed under the building permit.

This statement is designed to protect you as the property owner, and you must acknowledge and accept these consequences before proceeding with the building permit application.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or need further information regarding regulations and permits in Hartford, WI, you can contact the City of Hartford Building Inspection at the following address and phone number:

City of Hartford Building Inspection

109 N. Main Street

Hartford, WI 53027

Phone: 262-673-8277

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned about the regulations and permit requirements for fences in Hartford, WI. With this comprehensive guide, you are now equipped to navigate the process of obtaining a fence permit and complying with the relevant zoning regulations. Remember to reach out to the City of Hartford Building Inspection if you have any questions or need assistance during the application process. Best of luck with your fence project!

Disclaimer:

The information provided by Fence Finders LLC regarding building permits and regulations is for general informational purposes only. All information on the site is provided in good faith; however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the site.