North Charleston considers limiting height of fences and shrubbery

Quick links to other pages on this site | Still can't find it? see Site Index North Charleston has proposed new rules for fences that would impact Jack Hamrick's privacy. The new rules propose no fences taller than four feet in front yards or on corner lots, and no more making fences out of scrap material and baling wire. Non-compliant fences would have to be torn down within 5 years. (Grace Beahm/postandcourier.com) Buy this photo

John Hamrick III has a tall wooden fence that keeps neighborhood kids out of his pool in Old North Charleston and provides him some privacy. But under proposed city regulations, Hamrick could be required to tear it down.

The new rules have been going through study and revisions for months, and are aimed at requiring city residents to have attractive fences and shrubbery that arent too tall. Existing fences that dont meet the requirements would have to be taken down within five years.

Well, I wouldnt like that, said Hamrick. I should have the right to swim in my pool without people looking at me.

The latest version of the rules would limit fences or shrubbery to a height of 4 feet in front yards, and on a corner lot like Hamricks, both street-facing sides would be considered a front yard. Closer to an intersection, the height limit would drop to 30 inches.

Over the years, there have been a number of concerns about the appearance of some fences that have been installed in neighborhoods, said city spokesman Ryan Johnson. This is an attempt to address the concerns and create the definition of a fence.

He said the proposed ordinance would stop your neighbor from building a fence next to you out of plywood and razor wire.

The rules would also apply to businesses located on residentially zoned property.

New fences would have to be permitted and approved by the city. Properties zoned commercial or industrial could still have fences up to 10 feet tall, and could use barbed or razor wire.

At the most-recent meeting of the citys Planning Commission meeting, last week, Chairwoman Suzanne Thigpen and a few other commissioners suggested that no fences or bushes should be allowed at all in sight visibility triangle areas where they could prevent drivers from seeing traffic on cross streets.

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North Charleston considers limiting height of fences and shrubbery