Hello! I purchased my home in December 2011, and after some minor renovations inside the home I moved in in Spring 2012.

At that time, the home had a partial fence along the driveway with a gate that spanned the driveway even with the front of the house.  That partial fence left a gap roughly 18" wide where it "met" the neighbors fence.  18" is plenty wide enough for a pet or child to walk through, thereby negating the entire purpose of a fence.  That fence was partially rusty and unappealing to the eye, so I replaced it and improved upon it with a 6' privacy fence with no gaps.  I also replaced the old gate that spanned the driveway with a new gate that matches the fence.  Without the gate and without the construction method of the fence, it would not function as a fence should.

The city code ordinances in question read as follows, each followed by my reasoning for a request for variance
1159.04(p)(1) Fence is allowed in the rear yard only.
- There was already a fence on the property in the side yard (along the driveway) when I purchased the home.
1159.04(p)(4) Finished side of the fence must face the abutting properties.
- The finished side has to face in due to it's placing and construction to not leave a gap where two fences "meet."
1159.04(p)(5) There may be only a single fence.  No back-to-back fences.
- Having a partial fence not only looks terrible, but it would leave a gap that negates the function of the fence

Now, the larger issue here, is that a private home owner needs a permit for a fence in the first place.  Why do I need the government's permission to build a fence within my own property?  It's my home and my yard.  Who are they to tell me what I can and can't do on my own land?  And, also, why do those permits cost money?  City Of Sharonville employees are either paid a salary or are volunteers.  Why does it then cost money to process a permit?  Isn't that the job of those employees and volunteers?  So they are already paid to do that job or have knowingly volunteered to do that job?  Why does a private resident need to pay for the privilege to build a fence on his or her own property?  As long as the fence is constructed soundly and poses no danger to others, what then is the problem?

Thank you for reading.  Please sign this petition to support changing the building code for fences and the fees associated with permits for fences and help save my fence!