NOTE: "Fences, gates and walls" are hereafter referred to as "fences."
Historical Background.
Fences in historic districts must be considered as one of the factors which contribute to the overall character of a particular neighborhood, along with buildings, trees and green space. Fences are often a major element of a streetscape, and serve to indicate where public and private property meet. The style and construction date of a particular building may be factors to be considered in the design of a new fence for an historic structure.
In general, the 19th century can be divided into two periods as far as fence design and construction materials are concerned. The first half of the century can be identified with mostly wooden fences. Some of these fences were very elaborate, with slender pickets set on top of wooden base panels. Most wood picket fences were usually 4 to 5 feet high. Solid wood fences were also built, but these were used for privacy, for a side yard or garden, and were not often used directly in front of a house. The tops of fences were usually capped by a simple horizontal wood molding. Stockade fences of the type used in the West for forts, with wide boards cut to a point at the top, were not common.
The chief problem with wood fences was that they rotted after a few years and had to be replaced frequently. By the 1850s, this problem was solved by the availability of cast-iron fences which would last far longer than wood fences. A cast-iron fence could be very finely detailed, or could consist of simple slender pickets. Such fences were rarely more than 5 feet tall. The most common types of cast-iron fences in New Orleans are the simple designs seen in front of the many shotgun houses in the city. These fences are about 4 feet high, with plain pickets and ornamental gate posts. Such low fences were also used in front of some of the largest houses on St. Charles Avenue. By the early 20th century, low iron fences were widely used in New Orleans; however, many of the houses now called bungalows were built without fences. With the 1940s and the popularity of the suburbs, most new houses did not have fenced front yards, but back yards were almost always fenced for privacy and security.
St. Charles Avenue.
Due to the large scale of the lots and the houses built along the Avenue in the 19th and early 20th centuries, fencing tends to become an important factor in the appearance of the streetscape. It is possible to have a fence running for nearly 100 feet without a break. The great majority of original fences on St. Charles are of cast-iron, which tends to minimize the separation of public and private property. Iron fences, by virtue of their lack of bulk, do not create a visual barrier between the street and a given structure. In considering new fences for this district, it is of the greatest importance that this visual quality be respected. A solid wood or masonry fence would serve to obscure the street view of any particular building and, as such, should be discouraged in front of any 19th or early 20th century house. However, in the case of a building which may be out of character with the district, a solid fence can serve to lessen its negative impact and could be desirable. Generally speaking, any simply detailed iron fence would be appropriate for St. Charles Avenue. If a masonry base is desired, its mass should be as minimal as possible so as to maintain visual access from the street.
Lower Garden District.
Given the diversity of scale and ages of the houses in this district, there is correspondingly greater variety in terms of the existing fences and possible new fencing. Many buildings in this area have had their original fences removed, but a good number of original fences remain to provide designs upon which new fences may be modeled. Many of the buildings date from the 1940s, a time in which the wood picket was in widespread use in New Orleans. Most 19th century pickets were approximately one inch square. This style is not often available from fence companies today. The present picket styles are about 3 to 4 inches wide with a variety of designs for their tops. The pickets with the so-called French Gothic point or the simple point are appropriate substitutes. Iron fences are also found in the district, and they vary in height from 3 to 6 feet. The only appearance of solid masonry fences in the district is usually found along the side property lines of very grand houses, such as those at 1228 Race Street and 1308 Felicity Street. Such a solid fence served to protect and conceal the less important side of the house and was never used in front of the entrance facade. Solid masonry fences could be approved for use in providing privacy for a side yard or for concealing a building that is out of character with the district, but they should not be approved in front of significant structures. Iron fences are quite appropriate for the district and could be either simple or elaborate, depending on the style of the house in question.
Faubourg Marigny.
Because the majority of the houses in this district are built directly upon the front property line, fences in the district tend to be less visible, though no less than those in other districts. In the case of a house with a front yard, either a wood or iron picket fence could be appropriate. As was stated in reference to the other districts, solid wood or masonry fences would be approved only where they would not obscure the view from the street of any important structure. Historically, there is an important precedent for the use of solid vertical board wooden fences in Marigny. Many of the renderings in the Notarial Archives show formal French gardens hidden from the street by such fences. Gates secured the street ends of the alleys alongside many Marigny houses and were also built of vertical boards with a lattice panel above, acting as an outdoor transom. Fences on the side property lines often consisted of several heavy boards laid horizontally and nailed to heavy wooden posts.
Esplanade Ridge and Treme.
Due to the great diversity of building styles and types found in these districts, a variety of fence types exist. The larger scale houses along Esplanade Avenue feature cast-iron fences, some of which are highly ornamented and as much as 5 or 6 feet in height. As one moves away from Esplanade Avenue, the scale of the houses diminishes as does the scale of the fences. The density of the Treme historic district places it in the same stylistic category as Marigny, with many buildings sitting on the front property line. Since most of the houses in these districts were built after 1850, the majority of the original fences are of cast-iron, even those in front of relatively small houses. In some of the areas under partial control, the housing stock dates from the early 20th century. There, the fences are very low and plain. Solid wood or masonry fences would be permitted provided that they would not result in the concealment of any significant structure. The best solution for most of the buildings in the districts would be the 3 or 4 foot high iron fence type which is still manufactured today, although the earlier Treme buildings would require properly detailed wood fencing.
Commission Policy on Fences, Gates and Walls.
Fences which meet the following conditions can be approved at staff level:
Fences in Front Yards and/or Parallel to the Street.
A. Within all HDLC districts, iron picket fences (with or without masonry piers) will be allowed provided that the proposed fence: 1. Conforms with all zoning and building codes; 2. Does not contain any added ornamental detailing unless such ornamentation is compatible with the style and type of main structure; 3. Is consistent in height and setback from the front property line with the heights and setbacks of adjacent fences and that it not exceed 5'-0" if any closer to the street than main facade of the building; 4. Conforms with the details provided in the attached standards and/or is approved by the staff.
B. Within all districts, masonry fences will be allowed provided the proposed fence: 1. Conforms with all zoning and building codes; 2. Is no closer to the front property line than the main facade of the adjacent buildings; 3. Brick is approved by the staff with regard to color, type and texture; 4. If constructed of concrete block, is plastered; 5. Is not erected in front of a blue or purple-rated structure; 6. Conforms with the details provided in the attached standards and/or is approved by staff.
C. Within all districts except the St. Charles Avenue Historic District, wooden picket-type fences will be allowed provide that the proposed fence: 1. Conforms with all zoning and building codes; 2. Is historically consistent in style with type and style of main structure; 3. Is consistent in height and setback from the street with other front fences or structures in the block face; 4. Conforms with details provided in the attached standards and/or is approved by the staff; 5. Is painted.
D. Within all districts, solid wooden fences will not be allowed in front yards unless the proposed fence: 1. Conforms with all zoning and building codes; 2. Is erected no closer to the front property line than the main facade of the structure; 3. Is painted; 4. Conforms with details provided in the attached standards and/or is approved by the staff.
In Side Yards or Alleyways.
All fences which are approvable in front yards are also approvable in side yards. Within all districts, solid wooden fences are allowed provided that the proposed fence: 1. does not extend any closer to the front lot line than the main structure; 2. is not on a street facade of a corner lot unless the setback from the side street is consistent with the setback from the side street of adjacent fences and/or buildings; 3. conforms with all zoning and building codes; 4. conforms with details provided in the attached standards and/or is approved by the staff.
Chain Link Fences.
In general, the Commissions discourage the use of chain-link fences within local historic districts. Application for this type of fence will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Removal of Fences.
In general, the Commissions discourage the replacement of original fences in good condition. Application for removal of architecturally significant fences will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the Commission.
Inconsistent Fence Height.
When there is a difference in height between side yard and front yard fences, a transition must be made between the two fence heights with details approved by staff.
Appeal.
Any application for erection of a fence which is denied by the staff may be appealed to the full Commission.
Any fence type not covered by this policy will be reviewed by the Commission on a case by case basis.
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Additional Standards for Wood Fences-Solid Type
Note: The fences illustrated below must meet the conditions provided for in the policy above on fences, gates and walls.
Solid wood fences are usually constructed of boards, posts, and rails. Types of wood used include pine, cedar, and redwood. This wood is painted, stained, or treated to protect the wood and insure long endurance.
Common Solid Fence Types - Vertical and Horizontal Board (above left and below) , Fence Detail - Flat-Topped with Cap (above right and below)
