| Author |
Message |
    
Shannon OReilly
Citizen
Username: Soreilly
Post Number: 2
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 3:24 pm: | 
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New to Maplewood (well, moved here in August) and need to find someone to repair our retaining wall. Also, have heard that corner lots in Maplewood are not allowed to have fences on them...is that true? Please say it aint so! We have a 2 year old and need to get at least part of the property toddler ready for this summer. |
chiquita
Citizen
Username: Chiquita
Post Number: 72
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 10:41 am: |
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You can have a fence, but there are several restrictions as to the height, its position, and placement of shrubbery in front of the fence. We owned a corner lot and we ended up planting a boxwood hedge close to the sidewalk because we found out that the fence would have to be at least 15 feet in from the sidewalk, which would have drastically cut our yard space. Your best bet is to call town hall and get all the specifics before you put anything up. |
Peter
Citizen
Username: Peter
Post Number: 202
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 11:26 am: |
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We have a corner lot. Both yards are considered "front yards." Chiquita is correct that a fence must be at least 15 feet in from the property line, OR even with the structure line. You should go to town hall and speak to Mr. Mittemeier and get the scoop. Take a copy of you survey and ask him to line out the maximum allowable fenced area.
What they don't tell you though, is that no regulations cover fences under 2 feet high. So you can fence your entire yard with a "garden fence" up to or under 2 feet high. But don't go over 2 feet, or they'll come around and make you fix it.
If you live on a very busy corner, you might be able to get a variance. The folks at Harvard and Valley have a white picket fence that they got a variance for a year or so ago. That's time consuming -- about 2-3 months -- and costs a couple hundred dollars. And there's no guarantee the BZA will grant it.
There are a lot of houses with corner fences that seem to be new -- I think the old fences were grandfathered and they are allowed to replace/repair them. But I think a lot of people ignor the rule and just hope they don't get caught.
DO NOT USE Academy Fence in West Orange. They ripped my mom off with a crooked, ovepriced fence, and were really nasty about it when I fought them.
A lot of people plant bushes and when the bushes get bigger, put chicken wire along the trunks. Walk around, you'll see.
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Peter
Citizen
Username: Peter
Post Number: 203
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 11:27 am: |
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Oh yeah, no fence in Maplewood is allowed to be over 4 feet. |
Dobler88
Citizen
Username: Dobler88
Post Number: 93
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 1:21 pm: |
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really Peter? Not even a back fence? We were looking to do the side and back of our yard...4 feet seems low.. |
Shannon OReilly
Citizen
Username: Soreilly
Post Number: 3
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 8:42 pm: |
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Thanks all for your advice. Peter-thanks for the heads up re: Academy..I actually left them a message yesterday. I will look into the variance- we are just off of Maplewood Ave and cars seem to drive MUCH faster than 15 mph posted on the corner. There is a cheap old fence (not quite chain link yet not chicken wire) that is up right now- so I'll see if I can get it replaced. Is Mr. Mittemeier the best person to speak with? Thanks again to everyone for your help. |
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