Utah’s second-largest city is closing the gate on chain-link fences.

The West Valley City Council narrowly passed an ordinance Tuesday night prohibiting new construction of them in front yards. Properties in manufacturing areas of the city would be exempted from the ban.

Mayor Karen Lang and council members Lars Nordfelt, Don Christensen and Scott Harmon voted in favor of the new rule. Council members Cindy Wood, William Whetstone and Tom Hunyh voted against.

“We are supposed to help our residents here,” Hunyh said. “We’re not going to [vote to] give them, basically, a big burden on their shoulders.”

The three council members who rejected the change said they were worried about requiring residents to pay for more expensive fences, marshaling enforcement of the rule and confusing new homeowners moving into the city. Those who voted for the change did not give any reasons for their support.

The West Valley City planning commission had previously recommended the City Council pass the ordinance.

Property owners with existing chain-link fences won’t have to pull them out and can maintain and replace them if need be.

The ordinance grew out of a push to beautify the western Salt Lake County suburb, especially along 4100 South, where the council recently opened up more fencing options to property owners there — but banned chain-link varieties.

Council members also considered just prohibiting the metal fences on busy streets akin to 4100 South, but opted to widen the ban instead. Wood, who represents the southwest portion of the city, said she would’ve preferred keeping the ban more targeted.

“Homeowners should have choices about fencing their property,” she said. “They should have the right to choose practical, affordable and safe fencing.”

Wood also pitched a limited ban on chain-link fencing at new residential projects while leaving property owners in existing homes free to put up whatever kind of fence they want.

Two residents spoke about the new ordinance at Tuesday night’s meeting. One, former council candidate Jim Vesock, said he was in favor of scrapping the rule and limiting the chain-link ban to 4100 South.

Another, Mike Markham, called the focus on chain-link fencing a “minor issue” and encouraged the city to better enforce its codes already on the books.

“We’ve got bigger things to worry about in this city,” he said, “than somebody putting a chain-link fence in their front yard to keep their dog in.”