Chuck the chain link, but otherwise city's fence law relaxes

Backyard pool owners wanted it, and thanks to a change in city regulations, they can now have a seating area inside their fence - as long as those fences don't get any closer than 10 feet from a property line.

The new rule: Fences can be up to 10 feet from the hard surface surrounding a pool and must be at least 10 feet from all lot lines.

"Citizens complained that we were only allowing fences around the pool area - they wanted an expansion to include the patio areas with it. So we did that to allow that," said Larry Goudy, zoning and building administrator of the city's inspection services said.

Chain link, solid fences out

But while the ordinance regulating these fences has been made more lenient regarding location, it's also gotten more stringent regarding materials.

Chain link and solid wooden fencing are no longer options.

New fences built to enclose pools will need to be at least 50 percent open, with no openings more than 6 square inches. That allows for picket and wrought iron fences, for example.

That openness, Mayor Steven Ponto said, is what has become known as the "Brookfield Concept."

"The Brookfield Concept is to have open spaces and not to have fences," he said. "We have to have fences for safety reasons around pools, but there are very limited situations in which exceptions are made."

Yards with swimming pools and properties where individuals with certain medical conditions live fall into that category.

Existing fences not affected

Goudy said people with existing fences that violate the new regulations will not have to change them.

"But if that fence were to be removed, or to be in such a state of disrepair, it would have to comply with the current code," he said.

Any new pool enclosure will need to follow the new rules, though. A permit will still be required.

The measures will be enforced by Inspections Services staff.