Phoenix City Council Approves Golf Course Blight Ordinance

By Steve Shadley
Published: Thursday, June 5, 2014 - 12:03pm
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Some Valley golf course owners will have to follow new rules if they install security fences while their property goes up for sale.  Phoenix City Council has approved a new ordinance to prevent golf course blight.

The measure passed Wednesday by a vote of 7-2 and it goes into effect next month. 

It prevents private golf course owners from allowing their property to go unmaintained if they close it and put it on the market. The owners will also be required to get permits to put up fencing and they can’t install razor wire if the fence can be easily seen from nearby homes. 

The ordinance also means owners can’t put up fencing for longer than three years. 

Councilman Sal Diciccio introduced the measure. A neighborhood group in his Ahwatukee district has been fighting with a golf course owner who went broke and fenced off his property while its sale is pending.