Hammond fence planning checklist, printable

Where the fence goes

An old fence does not prove where the property line is. Settle the line before anything else is planned.

• Find the corner markers, or the lot dimensions on the survey, plat or act of sale.
• If the line is unclear or a neighbor questions it, a licensed land surveyor sets it before layout. Fixing a boundary means placing markers, and moving one without authority creates liability (Civil Code arts. 784-792).
• Mark drainage ditches, servitudes and utility easements shown on the recorded plat. Hammond plats bar any fence that interferes with a servitude, and a utility working in one need not put a fence back.
• Check whether the address is inside city limits. Many Hammond and Ponchatoula mailing addresses are in unincorporated Tangipahoa Parish, where the parish sets the rules.

The city rule: Hammond and Covington

Each city sets its own rules. These two were read at the source; anywhere else, confirm them for the address.

• Hammond: a fence permit from the Building Department before the fence goes up; the fee doubles if work starts first (UDC 4.1.8, Appendix H). Permits: (985) 277-5655.
• Hammond, in front of the house: 4 ft at most, in wood, metal other than chain link or barbed wire, decorative or simulated wrought iron, or masonry.
• Hammond, behind the front of the house: solid fences up to 8 ft, measured from the lower side.
• Hammond, near a corner: nothing over 3 ft within 30 ft of a street intersection.
• Hammond Historic District and Hyer-Cate overlay: extra review and stricter front-yard rules.
• Covington: a fence permit application with a fee and a drawing of heights, locations, property lines, streets and buildings. Permits: (985) 898-4725. The Historic District has its own fence guidelines.

Read the sources: the City of Hammond Unified Development Code (section 4.1.8 and Appendix H) and the City of Covington building permits page. The fence permit checker applies them to your plan.

Neighbor, restrictions and Louisiana 811

Three steps sit beside the permit. Each one has its own lead time.

• Neighbor: a fence on the boundary is presumed common to both owners (Civil Code art. 685). Talk before work starts, and agree in writing who pays for what.
• Subdivision: read the recorded building restrictions and get any HOA approval in writing before ordering materials.
• Louisiana 811: notify at least 48 hours, and no more than 120 hours, before the first post hole, weekends and holidays not counted (R.S. 40:1749.13).

Your fence plan

Fill this in before asking for estimates, so every estimate prices the same job.

• Total length (feet): ______ Height: ______
• Material: pine / cedar / vinyl / chain link / aluminum / steel or iron / farm wire
• Walk gates ___ Driveway gates ___ Automatic opener: yes / no
• Old fence to remove: yes / no Posts set in concrete: yes / no
• Wet or low spots along the line: yes / no Ditch crossing: yes / no
• Inside city limits: yes / no Historic district: yes / no
• Pool on the property: yes / no HOA or restrictions: yes / no

Comparing estimates

Two estimates for the same yard often describe different work. Line them up item by item.

• Footage and height, the post material and spacing, how deep the posts go and how they are set in wet ground.
• Number, width and hardware of each gate, and how the gate posts are set.
• Tear-out and haul-away of the old fence and its footings.
• Who pulls the permit, who files the Louisiana 811 notice, and the drawing the permit needs.
• Whether the installer holds the Louisiana registration or license the job size calls for: LSLBC home improvement registration or a residential license, depending on the value of the job.
• Cleanup, and how the yard along the line is left.