A chainlink front yard fence, photographed in Tyler, Texas, on Friday, May 26, 2017. Tyler residents currently have to go through a special permitting process for front yard fences, and Tyler City Council is looking at this permit process again. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Can fences in the front yard be appealing?

The city of Tyler is trying to find out.

Tyler created a visual survey to gauge the preferences of residents on how their neighborhoods should look, and what types of fencing materials are acceptable.

The survey gives the public two pictures, and asks which the respondent prefers – option A or B, neither or both.

It asks which are more visually appealing, and which give the appearance of a safe neighborhood.

The survey is online, and will be open until July 28, according to the city.

The survey can be accessed at www.TylerPZ.org. There’s a link at the top of the page.

Residents without internet access or in need of other accommodations can participate by visiting the Planning Department, 423 W. Ferguson St.

The responses will help the city formulate a new fencing ordinance.

Members of the Tyler City Council are divided on if front yard fences should be allowed in the city at all, or if they can be allowed using certain materials.

In late May, the Tyler City Council put a six-month moratorium on any new front yard fence applications while staff works out the details to improve the current front yard fence ordinance.

The city will look at fencing ordinances from other cities, look for best practices and poll neighborhood groups on the issue before coming up with a new ordinance for the council’s consideration.

The discussion is solely with fences in the front yard, not in side or backyards.

Currently, the city has basic restrictions on front yard fences. They cannot be taller than 4 feet, and cannot be made of barbed wire or similar material. The code also bans more creative types of fence materials, made from junked tires or other items.

Since 2013, residents are required to get a special-use permit to have a fence of any kind in the front yard. The current code takes on the fences on a case-by-case basis, but chain-link fences have not been approved for front yards.

Chain-link fences installed prior to 2013 are grandfathered.

Twitter: @TMTFaith