Residents call for change to Rockville fencing rules; council asks staff to study 'deer mesh'

Residents at the Dec. 1 Mayor and Council meeting renewed calls for Rockville to adopt a rule distinguishing removable deer mesh from permanent fences, saying the city’s current code allows enforcement that can lead to fines of up to $1,000 per day.

Rebecca Parlikhian, a Rockville resident of 27 years, told the council the city’s current policy penalizes homeowners who install removable mesh to protect gardens and trees and urged adoption of Montgomery County’s 2003 Deer Fencing Amendment (ZTA 03‑12). Parlikhian told the council, “When homeowners try to protect their financial investment in their property by installing removable deer mesh, the city's current policy is to fine them up to $1,000 per day.”

City Manager Michalek (on the record during the meeting) said staff will study an option to distinguish removable deer‑mesh from permanent fences in the zoning code and promised to place any active notices of violation related to deer mesh on hold while the review occurs. The council signaled consensus for pausing enforcement while staff develops proposed language and options.

Why it matters: several residents said removable mesh is an affordable, temporary way to protect yards and newly planted trees and argued that the city’s fines have been applied unevenly. Council members flagged that current fence definitions and frontage rules are ambiguous for corner lots and other property configurations, creating confusion for residents and inconsistent enforcement.

Next steps: staff will draft potential zoning text amendments and report back to the Mayor and Council with options and recommended language and will temporarily suspend enforcement on active notices tied to deer mesh while the study proceeds.

Quote: “This is nonsense,” Parlikhian said of fines for removable protection. “Allow homeowners to install removable deer fencing. It solves a problem the city refuses to address.”

Outcome: Council directed staff to study changes and to pause active enforcement on deer‑mesh notices while options are developed; no formal ordinance was adopted at the meeting.