Agoura Hills Municipal Code Div. 6 Accessory Structures

Except as otherwise regulated by this chapter, accessory buildings, which have been defined by this Code to exclude accessory dwelling units, shall be subject to the following regulations:

A. Accessory buildings shall not be erected in any minimum yard requirement, except a rear yard.

B. An accessory building, up to one (1) story or fourteen (14) feet in height may not occupy more than twenty-five (25) percent of a minimum rear yard plus forty (40) percent of the buildable area.

C. No accessory building shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to any main building or rear lot line nor shall it be located closer than five (5) feet to any side lot line.

D. Notwithstanding section 9606.A, in the Old Agoura Overlay District, accessory buildings may be erected in the minimum front yard, provided that they do not exceed one (1) story or fourteen (14) feet in height and not occupy more than twenty-five (25) percent of the minimum front yard plus forty (40) percent of the buildable area in combination with any other accessory buildings on the site. No accessory building shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to any main building or front property line nor shall it be located closer than five (5) feet to any side lot line.

(Ord. No. 97-279, § 1, 9-3-97; Ord. No. 434, § 16, 1-10-2018)

The following accessory structures and equipment may project into the required yard subject to the following limitations:

A. Ground mounted equipment such as pool equipment, air conditioners and built-in barbecues, provided that the equipment shall not be located closer than five (5) feet to the side property line and three (3) feet to the rear or street side property line. Notwithstanding any other provision in this article, no ground mounted equipment shall be allowed within the required front yard setback. All ground mounted equipment established in the permissible portion of the front yard shall be visibly screened from the public right-of-way. Noise-generating equipment, such as ground mounted pool and air conditioning equipment must be screened by a solid wall or sound insulated fence on all sides, except in cases where the equipment is located next to a dwelling, in which case the equipment must be screened on the three (3) sides not adjacent to the dwelling. Screening requirements for noise generating equipment may be waived if the director determines that typical equipment operation would not exceed exterior noise standards as set forth in section 9656.2.

B. Rain conductors, spouts, utility service risers, and shutoff valves may project a maximum distance of one (1) foot into any required yard.

C. Awnings or canopies may project a maximum distance of three (3) feet into the required interior side yard and five (5) feet into the required front, rear and street side yard, provided:

1. That such awnings or canopies are not closer than three (3) feet into any lot line;

2. That such awnings or canopies have no vertical ground support within such yard; and

3. That such awnings or canopies extend only over the windows or doors to be protected, and for not more than one (1) foot on either side thereof.

D. Water heaters, water softeners and gas or electric meters, including service conduits and pipes, enclosed or in the open, may project a maximum distance of two and one-half (2½) feet into a required interior side or rear yard, provided that such structures or equipment are not closer than three (3) feet to any lot line. Wall mounted tankless water heaters may project into a required side, interior, or rear yard, provided that such equipment is not closer than three (3) feet to any lot line. Gas meters, if enclosed or adequately screened from view by a structure permitted in the yard, may project a maximum distance of two and one-half (2½) feet into a required front or corner side yard, provided that such equipment is not closer than three (3) feet to any lot or highway line.

E. Wall and window mounted air conditioners, coolers, and fans may be used in any required yard, provided that such equipment is not closer than three (3) feet to any lot line.

F. Guard railings or fences for safety protection around depressed ramps may be placed in any yard provided such railing or fence does not exceed a height of three and one-half (3½) feet.

G. Driveways, walkways, patio slabs and other areas constructed of concrete, asphalt or similar materials and wooden decks may be used in any required yard provided that such structures do not exceed one (1) foot above ground level. Decks over one (1) foot high shall be regulated by section 9605.6. This provision shall not exclude the use of the steps providing access between areas of different elevation on the same property.

H. Storage sheds, including pre-fabricated units, that are used solely for the lawful and safe storage of personal property and which have less than one hundred twenty (120) square feet of projected roof area, are permissible in side or rear yards only, provided that a minimum unobstructed access of three (3) feet is provided between the shed and the property lines, have no foundation or plumbing or electrical service of any kind and do not exceed seven and one-half (7.5) feet in exterior height as measured from the ground to the top of the roof. Such sheds shall be placed behind any fence in the side yard setback area to minimize their visibility from the sidewalk or public right-of-way. If no fence exists in the side yard setback area, then the shed shall be located so as to minimize the visibility of the shed from the public right-of-way and must be at least fifteen (15) feet behind the front of the building. A maximum of three (3) such sheds shall be allowed on any one lot.

I. Wall and ground mounted energy generation and storage systems, including batteries and generators, may be placed in any side or rear yard, provided that such facilities are not closer than three (3) feet to any lot line. Any proposed generator over five (5) feet in height, placed within a required side yard, and utilizing an internal combustion engine (ICE) must be screened by a solid wall or sound insulating fence on all sides, except in cases where the equipment is located next to a dwelling, in which case the equipment must be screened on the three (3) sides not adjacent to the dwelling, to mitigate noise impacts to adjacent properties.

J. All other ground mounted equipment may be placed in any rear yard, provided such equipment is no closer than five (5) feet to any lot line and would not create a public nuisance pursuant to section 5605 of this code.

(Ord. No. 126, § 1, 6-24-87; Ord. No. 97-279, § 1, 9-3-97; Ord. No. 26-487, § 4, 4-22-2026)

Fences and walls may be erected and maintained in required yards subject to the following requirements:

A. Front yards. Fences and walls within a required front yard shall not exceed a height of three and one-half (3.5) feet.

B. Corner side yards. Fences and walls within a required corner side yard shall not exceed three and one-half (3.5) feet in height on the property line, nor exceed six (6) feet in height when located five (5) feet or more from said property line.

C. Interior side and rear yards. Fences and walls within a required interior side or rear yard shall not exceed six (6) feet in height except where residentially zoned properties abut commercially zoned properties, in which case, fences and walls within a required side or rear yard shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height. Notwithstanding the above, on the street or highway side of a corner lot, fences and walls shall be subject to the same requirements as for a corner side yard.

D. Retaining walls. Retaining walls not to exceed six (6) feet in height are permitted in all yards.

E. Retaining walls topped with walls or fences.

1. Where a retaining wall protects a cut below the natural grade and is located on a front, side or rear lot line, such retaining wall may be topped by a fence or wall not to exceed six (6) feet in height measured from the highest natural grade. Where such retaining wall contains a fill, the height of the retaining wall built to retain the fill shall be considered as contributing to the permissible height of a fence or wall; providing, however, that in any event an open work, non-view-obstructing fence of three (3) feet may be erected at the top of the retaining wall for safety protection. In those instances where the safety fence is utilized for corral purposes, the safety fence can be increased to a maximum four and one-half (4.5) feet in height subject to the review and approval [of] an administrative site plan review by the director of planning and community development. The director's review shall include but not be limited to, impact to surrounding properties, drainage, screening, dust control, and setbacks.

F. Tennis court fences. Tennis court fences erected outside of any required yard setback may not exceed a height of twelve (12) feet.

G. Fences and walls exempted. Where a fence or wall exceeding the heights specified is required by any law or regulation of the State of California, a fence or wall not exceeding such required height is permitted.

H. Measurement of fence and wall height. The height of a fence or wall shall be measured at the highest average ground level within three (3) feet of either side of said wall or fence. In order to allow for variation in topography, the height of a required fence or wall may vary by an amount up to six (6) inches; provided, however, that in no event shall the average height of such fence or wall exceed the maximum height specified.

I. Fences or walls. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the director may permit fences or walls within any required yard on flag lots or lots fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet or larger to a height not to exceed six (6) feet. However, higher fences shall only be permitted in any required front or street side yard when it can be demonstrated that it will be sufficiently open to preserve adequate visibility of vehicles entering and leaving said property.

(Ord. No. 132, § 8, 8-26-87; Ord. No. 147, §§ 1, 2, 3-23-88; Ord. No. 224, § 2, 3-24-93)

Trees, shrubs, flowers and plants may be placed in any required yard, provided that all height restrictions applying to fences and walls shall also apply to hedges planted within yards and forming a barrier serving the same purposes as a fence or wall.

Pursuant to section 9676 et seq., the director may grant a modification to a yard or setback regulation required by this chapter where topographic features, subdivision plans or other conditions create an unnecessary hardship or unreasonable regulation or make it obviously impractical to require compliance with the yard requirements or setback line.

Any development project for which a building permit is issued shall provide the required number storage facilities to serve the development for the accessible and convenient collection of solid waste and recyclable materials. All storage facilities shall be subject to the following standards:

A. Development project. For the purpose of this section, a "development project" shall including the following:

1. Any new commercial building, office building, industrial building, or residential buildings consisting of five (5) or more living units.

2. Any single or multiple alterations to an existing commercial, office, or industrial building(s) which collectively add thirty (30) percent or more to the existing floor area of the development.

B. Design criteria. All solid waste and recyclable material storage facilities shall be of sufficient size to accommodate the required number of solid waste and recyclable materials storage containers to serve the development, as determined by the director of planning and community development. All storage facilities shall include the following design standards:

1. Solid decorative walls which are compatible with the architecture of the development.

2. A solid decorative self-closing metal gate which is compatible with the architecture of the development.

3. A six (6) inch wide interior curb abutting all interior walls.

4. Protection against adverse environmental conditions, such as rain, which might render the collected recyclable materials unmarketable. Such protection is not required for the storage facilities when the bins protect against such adverse environmental conditions.

C. Location. All storage facilities shall be located so as to provide for the convenient deposit, collection, and loading of solid waste and recyclable materials generated by the development project, as determined by the director of planning and community development. All driveways and/or travel aisles shall provide for the unobstructed access for collection vehicles and personnel.

Developments and driveways which are adjacent to the storage facilities shall be adequately protected from any impacts such as noise, or odor through measures including, but not limited to maintaining adequate separation, fencing, and landscaping.

D. Maintenance. All solid waste and recyclable materials containers shall remain closed and be located completely within the closed storage facility, except during periods of loading and unloading of materials.

(Ord. No. 239, § 1, 8-25-93)