After a lengthy debate and a narrow vote, the Houston City Council has decided to reverse a long-standing policy that banned electric fences.

Under the new rules, businesses will be allowed to protect their property with electrified fences, as long as they follow safety guidelines. Those guidelines include posting signs in several languages that warn people about the fence; provide a fire department access box that allows emergency crews to shut down the fence; and follow an electrical code that sends electric current in “pulses,” so a person touching the fence would be able to let go if shocked.

Because the City of Houston does not allow zoning, council members struggled with the issue of businesses that back up to residential areas.

Eventually supporters settled on an amendment that requires businesses whose property sits next to a residence to follow additional safety standards.

Under those rules, such businesses would be required to surround their electric fence with a second, non-electric fence, which would have to be at least six feet tall.

The secondary fence would also be required to be made of a material – such as wood – that does not allow a person to reach through it.

Last week, electricians showed up in droves at a city council hearing, claiming that electric fences pose a risk to small children and people with heart conditions.

Business owners and electric fence manufactures disputed that – arguing the fences are far safer than guard dogs, which the city does not regulate.