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Century Set To Approve New Law To Scale Back Fence Heights
September 29, 2012
The Town of Century is set to approve a plan Monday for cutting back the height of fences allowed in front yards around the town — a plan that is a mix of Century’s current code and regulations that are already in place in the unincorporated areas of Escambia County.
The Century Town Council will hold a final public hearing and vote on an ordinance Monday night that would adopt Escambia County’s current standards that limit the height of a solid fence in front of a single family residence to three feet and a chain link or other transparent fence to a four foot height. The fence height for a corner lot would be limited to two feet as to not obstruct the view of traffic. For the purposes of the ordinance, the height of a hedge or shrubbery will be regulated as a solid fence.
Fences in the side, or rear yard of a home may not exceed eight feet, which is no change from Century’s current restrictions.
If adopted, the new fence law becomes effective immediately. To read the complete proposed ordinance, click here.
Mayor Freddie McCall said residents with existing fences that violate the new ordinance, if passed, can ask the town council for a variance.
“We need to make sure we treat everybody fairly,” council members Sandra McMurray Jackson said at a recent council meeting. “We’ve just got be sure that we don’t have anything to come back and slap us in the face…everybody that has got a high fence in front of their house is going to think that my fence is just like his (the one approved for a variance).”
Pictured top: (L-R) Mayor Freddie McCall and council members Gary Riley, Ann Brooks and Sandra McMurray Jackson at Monday night’s Century Town Council meeting. Council members Jacke Johnston and Annie Savage were absent from the meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “Century Set To Approve New Law To Scale Back Fence Heights”
I think it’s a good thing. Everywhere we have lived there have been guidelines in place to help the community. This one is not bad really. So you don’t have an 8 foot high privacy fence in your front yard…. Do you really need one? I prefer living where there are guidelines and HOA’s so that I everyone keeps there place up accordingly. Just because you have property rights doesn’t mean that you can’t infringe on others by what you do with your property. If that was so, property value wouldn’t be affected by things other people do…. Our community makes you submit plans in writing and get approval before any fence can be installed. They only allow certain fencing to be used as well. You can not use chain link, that’s for sure.
This is among one of the dumbest things Century has done.
Regulate hedges, somehow I overlooked that the first time I read this article.
Even the Muslim Clerics would find this extreme. Why not while we are at it, do away with curtains and blinds.
You people need to get yourselves a new mayor and council and the rest of us need to vote in commissioners that are more concerned about the operation of the county and less fascinated with people’s private lives. Vote them out!
Thank fully I don’t live in Century. However, I have dogs. Some dogs are big enough to jump a 4 foot fence. If I want a 6 foot chain link fence around my entire property to keep my dog in the yard then that should be my right. After all I am sure non of my neighbors want to meet the gentle giants who could jump a 4 foot fence. Many larger breeds are recommended to have 6 foot fences to be assured that they won’t jump the fence.
As i see it, this won’t be enforced for too long, like many other ordinaces, etc that Century has passed. Sad, but true. And how are people suppose to afford to take down and replace their fence … that costs money, and Century is in an economically deprived area in North Escambia County. Maybe the council can get the prisoners to help the residents replace their fences … just an idea.
What ever happened to property rights? Do those officials think themselves to be wiser than the property owners?
As a property inspector, this will make my job easier- its hard to take a pictures of a forclosed or bankrupt property when theres a huge fence out front.
You people sure do have a lot of time on your hands. Please tell me that your job is not that boring. I mean really, regulating the height of people fences and shrubbery all because of code enforcement and deputies not being able to see over your fence in your front yard gives the local government the right to enter your life and remove your free will? The police do not have the right to violate a person’s privacy just because they think someone is up to no good or they have something to hide. What if someone’s 400 lb mother decides to wear a two-piece bathing suit and take a swim or get a tan in her front yard? No offence to big women but people have the right to a little privacy and freedom in their lives. That was a GOD given right. If the police suspect illegal activity is going on at someone’s home, then do some good ol fashion detective work here and if illegal activities are being conducted by your suspects, then take em down town for an interrogation.