Planning and Zoning FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning and Zoning FAQs
Community Development FAQs

Where can a privacy fence be located and how tall can it be?
A privacy fence for a residential property may be located only in the side yard or back yard. Privacy fences cannot be constructed in the front yard, that is, from the front line of your house forward to the street. The part of the privacy fence located in the rear yard may be up to 8 feet tall; in the side yard they may be up to 6 feet tall. If you are placing a sight-obscuring fence (privacy fence) near a driveway, street or alley, you should contact the Planning Division at 271-4648 or 271-4773 to discuss additional requirements.

Owners/Occupants of commercial properties can construct a privacy fence from the front of the building to the back of the property line. As discussed above, if you are locating a privacy fence adjacent to a street, driveway or alley, you should contact the Planning Department prior to installation.

NOTE: You need a building permit to construct any fence.

Where is my property line located?
The best way to locate your property lines is to hire a licensed land surveyor who can provide you with a boundary survey drawing and/or mark your actual lot corners. The Department of Public Works and Transportation has unofficial records that indicate lot lines, easements, City right-of-way and location of City sewer. Additional private easements should be detailed on your property title. However, we will not be able to show you where the road or your building is located within the right-of-way

What zoning district is a property located in and what are the permitted activities?
Contact the Planning Division at 271-4648 or 271-4773 and staff will gladly provide you with this information.

What are the requirements for swimming pools?
Swimming pools must be located at least ten feet from a rear or side property boundary (15 feet if you have a corner lot), 30 feet from a front property boundary and 15 feet from a street line. Swimming pools cannot be located in the front yard. A swimming pool area must be entirely enclosed by a fence or other permanent structure at least four feet in height and must have locked gates or entrances.

Can a manufactured home be placed on any residentially zoned lot in the City?
If the manufactured home is manufactured after June 15, 1976 and has minimum width of not less than 22 feet, chances are it is possible to locate the manufactured home on a residentially zoned lot. There are several other requirements that must be met prior to placing the home on the lot. Contact the Planning division at 271-4648 or 271-4773 for the additional information.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Is there any help available to make repairs to our home?
The Community Development Division has several programs to assist homeowners. These programs are: The Low Interest Loan program and the Emergency Assistance Program.

How do I qualify for these programs?
The applicant must meet the income guidelines set by HUD, which is adjusted yearly. For example, a family of four may have a combined income of $40,550 or below and be income qualified. The house must be the primary residence, and you must have lived in the home for at least six months. You will need to submit proof of ownership and proof of income with the application.

What happens if I qualify?
If approved, your name goes on a waiting list. A rehab manager will do an inspection of your home and do a work-write up for the repairs that need to be made. Community Development advertises for bids, prepares the contracts and monitors the work for the homeowner.

What are the interest rates?
Loans will be at an interest rate of 0% to 4% based on the property owner's ability to pay not to exceed a 30-year term. A deferred payment loan (DPL) may be offered to applicants' 62 years of age or older and/or permanently disables whose incomes do not permit the repayment of an amortizing loan. Mortgage of said property would be filed as security for the loan.

What is the Emergency Assistance Program?
Emergency assistance is provided to eligible property owners with spontaneous situations that would be considered life threatening, such as electrical hazards, structural failure, hazardous plumbing, etc. Emergency assistance for work that required up to $5,000.00 would be in the form of a grant. Emergency assistance for work over $5,000.00 will be in the form of a deferred payment loan for qualified applicants 62 or older or permanently disabled, or a low interest loan (0%-4%) with the interest rate based upon the property owner's ability to pay not to exceed a 20 year term.