FENCING
Fencing has traditionally been used in the East Row Historic District to delineate property lines and to separate front yards from the sidewalk or street. Cast iron fencing is especially abundant in the area due to the availability of iron fences from the Stewart Iron Works and Buecher Company which were local manufacturers. Hundreds of small fences were installed along the sidewalks and between lot lines throughout the neighborhood in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The majority of these are hoop and dart variations two to three feet in height. Wooden picket fences of two to three feet in height are also found in the East Row area installed along the sidewalks and between lot lines.
Along several blocks of the East Row Historic District are residences which are located on lots two feet to four feet above the level of the sidewalk. Most of these residences have lawns which slope down to the sidewalk, while other lawns terminate in retaining walls at the sidewalk level. A number of original retaining walls of stone or hollow core concrete block construction still exist, as do modern retaining walls of concrete or brick. Wood timbers are not appropriate for use in the historic district for retaining walls, or as lawn borders or edging. Original retaining walls shall be maintained and repaired where necessary. If new retaining walls are desired, the use of brick or stone is appropriate.
Typical cast iron fence designs found in the district.
FENCE GUIDELINES
- Cast iron fences are an integral part of the East Row area and shall not be removed for new fence materials. Cast iron fences shall be maintained and repaired where necessary.
- The use of chain link fences on the main facade or readily visible side facades shall not occur.
- A fence located along any portion of a residential property abutting a public right-of-way (except along an alley) shall not be greater than thirty-six (36) inches in height.
- Brick fences are rare in the district and the introduction of modern brick fences is not permitted.
- New cast iron, aluminum or wood fences in historical designs are permitted for the neighborhood.
- Original retaining or landscaping walls shall be maintained and repaired where necessary. New construction of retaining or landscaping walls shall be of stone or brick.
- Readily visible rear or side yard fencing may be of wood plank construction. In the rear yard area, which may extend not more than three feet perpendicular to the rear corner of the main structure of a residence toward the public right-of-way, fencing may be up to eighty-four inches in height, so long as the height of the fencing does not create an impediment to safe traffic flow.
Original stone retaining walls shall be preserved and maintained.
Landscaping materials such as wood timbers shall be avoided on the main facade.
ARCHITECT'S ALLIANCE REAR YARD FENCE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Architect's Alliance of Newport has prepared these guidelines to assist the City of Newport in evaluating the architectural character of rear yard fences. By maintaining a high level of quality within the entire historic district, individual homeowners interests and investments are safeguarded. The guidelines are not meant to limit creative problem solving but rather to call attention to certain features that are common among fences of the style and period of the architectural fabric of Newport.
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