Fence Ordinances in Bloomfield Township Michigan
Here is a brief overview of the fence ordinances for Bloomfield Township. This is not a complete or definite list and should never be used in support of a dispute. Click here to review the complete document of codes and ordinances regarding fences in Bloomfield Twp.
Design & Height Requirements
Fences installed in Bloomfield Township basically need to be ornamental or out of sight. Bloomfield is one of the toughest cities around in regards to fence ordinances. Most common fence types are allowed to be installed however, most will require approval from the city zoning board first.
No fence can exceed a height of 4 feet tall without first obtaining approval from the zoning board. This means that if you want to have a 6-ft tall privacy fence installed, you will need to get approval from the zoning board (different than permit approval) in order to do so. This is typically a long drawn out process and is required if you are looking for a privacy fence. If your privacy fence is approved in Bloomfield, you cannot exceed a height of 6 feet tall.
All fences installed in Bloomfield Township must be built with the finished side (also called the “good side”) facing the adjacent neighbors property rather than your property. This means that all posts and horizontal rails must be installed on your side of the fence while the smooth side of the fence faces your neighbors.
Location Requirements
If the purpose of your fence is to contain a dog, you should be prepared to go through the zoning board process which will delay your project a good month or two. The reason for this is because the fence ordinance in Bloomfield for containing a dog requires your fence to be at least 25 feet away from your rear property line and at least 16 feet away from your side property lines. We find that this does not make sense for many homeowners in Bloomfield and they all end up requesting a variance approval from the zoning board.
In no situation can a fence extend beyond the front corners of your house/building without prior approval of the zoning board. If you live on a corner lot, the fence can extend into your front-side yard (facing the side street) as long as it is a minimum of 40 feet away from the edge of the side street. No fence can be installed within that 40-ft set-back, measured from the street.