City of Sergeant Bluff, IA
BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa:
SECTION 1. SECTION MODIFIED. Section 165A.18 located in Chapter 165 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, is repealed and the following adopted in lieu thereof:
165A.18 OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT STREET INTERSECTIONS.
On a corner lot, there shall be provided an unobstructed view across a triangle formed by joining points measured 30 feet along the property lines from the intersection of two streets or 15 feet along both the street and alley lines from the intersection of a street and alley. At intersections with arterial streets, the distance shall be 50 feet along the property lines from the point of intersection. Within the triangle there shall be no sight-obstructing or partly obscuring wall, fence, or foliage higher than 30 inches above grade or, in the case of trees, foliage lower than eight feet. Vertical measurement shall be made at the top of curb on the street or alley adjacent to the nearest side of the triangle or if no curb exists, from the edge of the nearest traveled way.
SECTION 2. SECTION MODIFIED. Section 165D.04 located in Chapter 165 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, is repealed and the following adopted in lieu thereof:
165D.04 FENCES.
1. No fence shall be constructed within the zoning jurisdiction of the City unless a fence permit application is approved, the permit has been issued by the building inspector, and the fence is constructed in conformance with the following requirements:
A. Unless otherwise provided by this Code of Ordinances, no fence shall be built on any lot or tract outside the surveyed lot lines, or adjacent to any municipal property, excluding public streets.
B. Unless otherwise provided by this Code of Ordinances, any fence built on residential property within the required front or street side yard setback shall contain openings constituting no less than 50 percent of the surface area of the fence.
C. No solid fence permitted or required by this Code of Ordinances shall be built within a visual sight triangle as defined in Section 165A.18 (Obstructions to Vision at Street Intersections) or otherwise in any manner creating a traffic hazard or obstruction to visibility.
D. The finished surfaces of any fence shall face toward adjacent properties and street frontage.
E. All parts of a fence shall be completely within the boundaries of the property of the owner installing the fence.
F. Fences constructed within residential districts or on land used for residential purposes are subject to the following provisions.
(1) The maximum height of a fence within a required front yard or street side yard shall be 42 inches not exceeding 50 percent closed construction, or 48 inches not exceeding 25 percent closed construction.
(2) The maximum height for any fence outside of a required front yard or street side yard setback shall be six feet unless other requirements are stated.
(3) On corner lots, fences may be installed up to 2 feet from the property line provided they do not intrude into the required sight triangle as defined in 165A.18 (Obstructions to Vision at Street Intersections). Within the sight triangle, no fence shall exceed 30 inches in height or otherwise create a traffic hazard or obstruction to visibility. Outside of the sight triangle, fences shall conform to the front and side yard standards in 165D.04(F)(1).
(4) Shared property lines shall be agreed upon by both adjacent property owners for a fence to be placed on the shared property line. If not agreed upon by both property owners, the owner installing the fence shall place the fence a minimum two (2) feet off the shared property line.
(5) Fences built on residential property outside of required front or street side yards may exceed 50 percent closed construction.
(6) Permitted fence materials in all zoning districts are wood, chain-link, vinyl/PVC/resin manufactured fence products, composite fence systems, ornamental metal (aluminum or steel), stone, or masonry. Wood fences shall utilize standard building lumber only. Sheet-metal panels (including corrugated or ribbed), unframed or raw livestock/cattle/hog panels or gates, reclaimed pallets or other reclaimed wood products, tarps, plastic mesh/snow fence, and other temporary materials are not acceptable as permanent fence construction in any zoning district. This restriction does not apply to temporary construction safety or erosion-control fencing installed in connection with an active building permit. Welded-wire panels may be used only when securely framed with wood or metal posts/rails and installed in a workmanlike manner to present a finished appearance as required by 165D.04(F)(1)(D). Compliance with this requirement shall be determined by the Building Inspector. Where chain link is used, privacy slats are permitted; when installed, they count toward the closed construction limits in 165D.04(F)(1).
(7) Fences may exceed the maximum height by four inches provided they are installed to maintain landscaping material at grade.
(8) Height shall be measured from the average grade along the fence line.
G. Where it is demonstrated that for security purposes the perimeter fencing around a plant or building located in an area zoned as an Industrial District must be higher than six feet in height, it shall be approved through a conditional use permit.
H. Fences constructed along and parallel to lot lines separating a residential lot from property located in a Commercial or Industrial District shall not exceed eight feet in height.
(1) Fences constructed along and parallel to rear and side lot lines adjoining arterial streets, as designated by the IDOT, shall not exceed eight feet in height.
(2) No fence or vegetation shall be situated or constructed in such a way as to obstruct the vehicular traffic or otherwise create a traffic safety hazard.
(3) The use of barbed wire or concertina (razor) wire in the construction of any fence is prohibited except:
a.Perimeter security fencing of buildings constructed in an Industrial District. The plans and specifications for any such fencing must be approved by the City Council before commencement of construction.
b.Farm fencing constructed for agricultural purposes on parcels of land 10 acres or more in size, located in the AR District.
4. All fences shall be maintained in good repair. Fences shall be maintained in an upright position. Any fence that is broken, damaged, has a significant lean or is missing rails, posts, or other structural components shall be promptly repaired or replaced.
5. Electric Fences.
Underground animal control fencing shall be permitted in all districts. Electric or electrified fencing installed above ground is prohibited in all districts except the Agricultural Residential (AR) District in compliance with Section 41.09 of the Municipal Code of Sergeant Bluff. In the AR district, electric fencing may be used for agricultural purposes only and shall be installed and maintained in a manner that does not pose a hazard to children, adults, or animals outside the property.
6. Garden fences do not require a permit for installation provided they do not exceed four (4) feet in height, are 50 percent open construction, do not exceed 200 square feet and are setback a minimum of eight (8) feet from the front line of the principal building, are used for the purpose of protecting growing, cultivated vegetation.
7. Swimming pool, hot tub, and spa barriers. Barriers for swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas are required in the Municipal Code of Sergeant Bluff Chapter 159 Property Maintenance Code.
A. Minimum height of a swimming pool (inground or above ground), hot tub, or spa barrier from average grade shall be 48 inches in height and not to exceed a maximum height of six (6) feet as measured from average grade.
B. Barriers that are attached to the top of an above ground pool shall be labeled and listed as a barrier and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
C. A deck built even with the above ground pool side wall shall have a railing, minimum height of 36 inches not to exceed a maximum height of seven (7) feet as measured from the top of the railing to the average grade.
D. No barrier shall be required for a swimming pool, hot tub, or spa if the property is completely fenced in, and the fence is installed in accordance with the provisions of this code.
E. No barrier shall be required for a swimming pool, hot tub, or spa if there is a safety cover that complies with the requirements of ASTM F 1346.
SECTION 3. REPEALER. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION 4. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. If any section, provision, or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 5. WHEN EFFECTIVE. This ordinance shall be in effect from and after its final passage and approval and publication as provided by law.
Passed by the City Council of the City of Sergeant Bluff on the xxx day of XXXXX, 2025 and approved this 25th day of November, 2025.
MAYOR/MAYOR PRO TEM
Attest:
DANNY CHRISTOFFERS, CITY CLERK
First Reading:10/28/2025Vote for passage: 5-0
Second Reading: 11/11/2025Vote for passage: 5-0
Third Reading: 11/25/2025Vote for passage: 5-0
Passed, Approved, and Adopted 25th , November, 2025
I certify that the foregoing was published as Ordinance No. 769 on the 11th day of December, 2025.
DANNY CHRISTOFFERS, CITY CLERK
Published in the Sergeant Bluff Advocate weekly newspaper, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. The SB-Advocate is the Official Newspaper for the City of Sergeant Bluff and is an Official Woodbury County newspaper. (PN#121125-00284)
