Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my property line?
How do I build my fence and do I need a permit to build a fence?
What should I do when I receive a public notice?
What signs are not allowed at my commercial business?
What is the difference between CC&Rs and city regulations?
What types of trees are recommended in the parkstrips and for my yard?

Our contact information is:

Woody Mataele
40 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah 84660
Telephone: (801) 798-5000 Ext. 49
woody@spanishfork.org

Shelley Hendrickson
40 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah 84660
Telephone: (801) 798-5000 Ext. 48
shendrickson@spanishfork.org

Dave Anderson
40 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah 84660
Telephone: (801) 798-5000 Ext. 31
danderson@spanishfork

How do I find my property line?

There may be surveying stakes or pins on your property which will help locate your property's boundaries. Copies of subdivision plats in the City are available for review or purchase in the Engineering Department in City Hall or at the Utah County Recorders Office. They show the shape and dimensions of your lot and where surveying pins were placed on the ground in your subdivision. This information may help you in your search. Surveying stakes or pins are usually located at the corners of your property. In recent years, they typically are ½ inch diameter rebar with either an aluminum or plastic cap. Surveying markers may have been removed or lost over the years so you may not find any on the ground. If this is the case, the best course of action is to hire a Land Surveyor to locate your property's boundaries. The City does not locate property boundaries in the field for City residents. People often ask if their fence is on their property line or how far from the center line of the street is their property. While fences and center lines of streets may give you a general idea of where your property line is, they are not accurate indicators. For example, fences are not always located on property lines. Instead, they may be located inside a property line so that a property owner can maintain both sides of it. To accurately determine your property's boundaries, it is best to hire a land surveyor to survey your property or set new pins. Land Surveyors are listed in the Yellow Pages.

Do I need a permit to build a fence?

A permit is not required for any new fence or any change in material, type, size, or location of an existing fence. However, fences must conform to setbacks an height limits, and no electric fences are permitted. Fences must be located on or within an applicant's property lines. A property survey is recommended if property pins cannot be found. Locating property lines is the responsibility of the property owner; the City does not provide this serve. More information about fences can also be found in the Zoning Ordinance Title 15.

What should I do when I receive a public notice?

A public hearing is a process that is intended to provide members of the public an opportunity to address the Planning Commission and the City Council on matters concerning land development and other public interests. If and when you receive a public hearing notice:

• You may call the phone number listed on the notice of application to speak directly with the city planner for additional information on the project.
• You may review the application materials on file at City Hall.
• You may mail, fax (801) 798-5085 or e-mail in your written comments concerning the project to the city planner.
• Or you may appear before the Planning Commission /or City Council to give your testimony on the day of the public hearing.

What signs are not allowed at my commercial business?

1. Signs located within, or projecting over any public street, right-of-way, or other public property except shingle signs.
2. Roof signs unless they are in the C-2 commercial zone and meet the following: located below the peak of the roof (not permitted on a flat roof), located on the side or back of the building, non-illuminated, under five (5) percent of the flat wall area for that side of the building, no secondary wall sign shall be permitted, and no parcels over 2 acres in size or planned commercial centers over 1 acre shall be permitted a roof sign.
3. Projecting signs.
4. Any sign which interferes with or confuses traffic, or presents a traffic hazard.
5. Signs emitting sound, except for approved drive-up menu boards
6. Signs with intermittent or flashing illumination and animated or moving signs, except for time and temperature signs and electronic message boards.
7. Awning mounted signs, unless painted directly on the face of the awning.
8. Signs mounted, attached, or painted on trailers, boats, or motor vehicles when parked, stored, or displayed in a manner intended to attract the attention of the public for advertising purposes.
9. Pennants, banners, balloons, flags, and similar displays except for special events.
10. Temporary signs which advertise a business, commodity, service, entertainment, product, or attraction except for special events.
11. Reader panel and electronic message signs that are portable, exceed 50 percent of a permanent sign.
12. Portable signs
13. Signs which extend below the bottom edge of a fascia board or mansard roof.
14. Off-premise signs

What is the difference between CC&Rs and city regulations?

City regulations are laws, policies or processes that have been approved by the City Council and are applied throughout the city. Codes, Covenants and Regulations, or CC&R's, apply to specific master-planned developments or neighborhoods and are not enforced by the city, but rather by a homeowners association.

What types of trees are recommended in the parkstrips and for my yard?

There is a City Ordinance (Section 12.08) and a list that recommends what trees should go into the parkstrips. Certain varieties of trees are known to carry diseases and lift up sidewalks.