32A-087 - Tit4 Norillamplan
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4 , DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS
212 Main Street • Municipal Building sfs,i�v
Northampton, MA 01060
INSPECTOR
Philip Kass
29 Graves Avenue
Northampton, MA 01060
December 4, 2009
Dear Philip,
The fence that was recently installed along the southeast side of your yard violates the City of
Northampton Zoning Ordinance, section 350 -6.8 (F). Here is an excerpt from the ordinance:
F. A fence, hedge, wall, sign or other structure or vegetation may be maintained on any lot, provided that in the
front yard area, no such structure or vegetation shall be over three feet in height above the adjacent ground within
five feet of the front lot line unless it can be shown that such vegetation will not restrict visibility in such a way as
to hinderthe safer entry of a vehicle from any driveway to the street. fn residential districts, no fence shall exceed
a height of 6 1/2 feet (eight feet when abutting a nonresidential district) unless a special permit has been received
from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The front lot line is generally assumed to be the edge of your yard next to the sidewalk. This
ordinance is meant to allow a clear line of sight for residents backing out of a driveway.
Please lower the portion of the fence within 5 feet of the sidewalk and let me know when the
work will be complete.
Please call me if you have any more questions. You may contact me at the building department.
Our telephone number is 587 -1240 and our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30
pm, except that we close at 12:00 noon on Wednesdays. My email address is
Ihasbrouck @northamptonma.gov.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Louis Hasbrouck
Local Inspector and Zoning Enforcement 2 4
Ihasbrouck @city.northampton.ma.us