For property owners on corner lots in Ottawa, fence rules relaxed: driver visibility still a concern

Ottawa is relaxing some of its rules for fences if a resident lives on a corner lot, but driver visibility remains the most important concern.

The City Council amended its ordinances with regards to fences Tuesday night after complaints from those living on a corner as they were unable to have proper privacy. Fences for corner lots were only allowed to be four-foot high and needed to be seen through for traffic at the intersections.

“It’s been a constant complaint since we passed a fence code awhile ago,” said Mayor Dan Aussem at the meeting.

Residents wanted some privacy for their two-sided yard, especially if they had a patio or pool, but the city was worried that would obstruct the view of traffic.

Now, the ordinance is written so that as long as the fence is moved to the building line and not the right-
of-way line, it can be 6 feet high
but still must not block the view of traffic.