Anyone know anything about how far back you legally have to build a privacy fence?

My Dad wants to put up a fence as the neighbors have annoying dogs and don't keep up their property. Regretfully, the tree that used to be exclusively on our property line is now grown to be half on our property of 50 years and 1/2 on the neighbors. We always heard you had to build 2ft back off the property line. Is that true?

And, does that mean we forfeit our 2 feet of land to the neighbor?

It will be impossible to mow as their big dogs will run freely, as it will enclose thier property once we do this.

Any help on where to direct us would be great! THanks!

created by anotherblogger on Jun 15, 2008 at 06:22:20 pm Comments: 7

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PS - We're in the city limits -- we are in Toledo.

posted by anotherblogger on Jun 15, 2008 at 06:22:57 pm #

I can't help you with that, but I have a fence issue too. The people behind me who have only said a few things to me in 3 years (and they were all about my dogs barking scaring them - guess what? dogs bark and my dogs are hardly out!)put up a privacy fence this weekend. WITH THE POST SIDES OUT!!! That's illegal right? I know I made sure mine were on my side when I put mine up. Anybody know about that? Not that I would complain ( can;t even tell, but the othet neighbors can), but I could at least hold it over them if they wanted to talk smack next time I am back there.

posted by Ryan on Jun 15, 2008 at 06:42:05 pm #

here's what I found:

1105.0300 Fences and hedges.
Fences and hedges shall be permitted in any required setback.

(Ord. 170-04. Passed 3-23-04.)

1105.0301 Residential Districts.
The following standards apply in all Residential Districts:

A. Fences or hedges may not exceed 3½ feet in height in the required front setback.

B. Fences may not exceed 4 feet in height in the required side setback adjacent to the main building and projected to the required front setback.

C. Fences may not exceed 7 feet in height in any other location on a lot.

D. No part of any fencing may extend into the public right-of-way.

Here's the link:
http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Ohio/toledo/toledomunicipalcode?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:toledo_oh

I believe that there is no minimum distance needed for your fence, but I'd call the building inspector's office to make sure.

posted by hockeyfan on Jun 15, 2008 at 07:06:05 pm #

yes, the fence "face" must face outward to be seen from other properties. I read that while researching the other question.

posted by hockeyfan on Jun 15, 2008 at 07:07:27 pm #

I think that says across the front no higher than 3.5 feet along the sides but still the front yard 4 foot and across the back and sides in back 7 foot.

posted by Linecrosser on Jun 15, 2008 at 07:13:04 pm #

I know here as long as the fence is actually on your side of the line its legal. and that includes anything that would hang off the fence posts or fence itself.

posted by Linecrosser on Jun 15, 2008 at 07:14:20 pm #

Your best bet is to call the zoning department downtown. They have answered the same question a thousand times and can give you a solid answer in a few minutes. The advantage there is that their answer is legally enforceable. If they tell you that spot A is okay, it will be very difficult to later tell you to rip it down.

Get the name of the person who answers your question and write down the date of your call.

posted by MoreThanRhetoric on Jun 16, 2008 at 10:21:34 am #

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