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Division 1 — Generally›Chapter 33›Article 56 — MISCELLANEOUS DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

§ 33-1083. General fence and wall provisions.

Escondido Zoning Code · 2026-05 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Escondido

  • (a) Materials. Fences or walls may be constructed of any suitable materials in a manner

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City of Escondido, CA

ESCONDIDO CODE

§ 33-1083

§ 33-1083

appropriate to its design.

  • (1) Prohibited materials.

    • (A) Electrified fencing;

    • (B) In any residential zoning district, barbed wire, razor wire, or other similar fences with affixed sharp instruments;

    • (C) Subsection (B) above notwithstanding, barbed wire is permitted in agricultural and residential estate zones on properties being used for agriculture or animal husbandry, subject to the following criteria:

      • (i) Properties must be a minimum of two acres.

      • (ii) Such fencing shall not be kept in a manner that is unsafe, abandoned or a materially dangerous condition,

      • (iii) Such fencing shall be set back from any public street or other public rightof-way a minimum of 20 feet unless it is not visible from such street or right-of-way, and

      • (iv) Such fencing shall not be placed on the rooftop of any building.

  • (b) Height measurements. The height measurement of a fence or wall may be measured from either side in a vertical line from the lowest point of contact with the ground directly adjacent to either side of the fence or wall (i.e., finished grade) to the highest point along the vertical line. The finished grade shall be that as shown on the approved grading plan. In cases where a retaining wall does not require the approval of a grading plan, the finished grade shall be as determined by the city engineer.

    • (1) Height and location requirements for fences or walls placed atop a wall.

      • (A) Freestanding walls. When a fence or wall is placed over a freestanding wall, the height of the freestanding wall shall be considered as part of the fence or wall for purposes of determining the overall height of the combined structure.

      • (B) Retaining or landscaping walls used to increase usable lot area.

        • (i) When a fence or wall is placed atop a retaining or landscaping wall, the height of the retaining or landscaping wall shall be considered as part of the fence or wall for purposes of determining the overall height of the combined structure. Within any required front or street side setback, there must be a horizontal separation of at least two feet between structures so the combined height of the fence and retaining wall structure does not exceed the provisions of sections 33-1080 and 33-1081. When a minimum two foot horizontal offset is provided, within which screening vegetation is provided to the satisfaction of the director of community development, the wall/fence may not be considered one continuous structure for calculating wall/fence height. The horizontal separation shall be measured from the "back" face of the lower wall/fence to the "front" face of the higher wall/fence.

        • (ii) If a retaining or landscaping wall is combined with a fence or wall in an

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City of Escondido, CA § 33-1083

ZONING

§ 33-1085

interior side or rear setback of any property, the retaining wall shall not be included in the measurement of fence or wall height. The height of the fence or wall shall be determined exclusive of the height of the retaining wall such that the top of the retaining wall is considered the finished grade. Only the portion of the fence or wall above finished grade shall be considered as part of the overall height of the fence or wall. Any combinations of retaining wall and fence or wall over eight feet in height must provide a variation in design or materials between the retaining wall and the fence or wall. Landscaping shall be utilized to soften the appearance of the wall or fence above the retaining or landscaping wall. 

  - (iii) If a fence, wall, or other structure in the nature of a fence is placed over a retaining or landscaping wall beyond the front, street side, interior side, or rear setback line, the height of the fence, wall, or other structure shall be measured separately from the retaining wall, subject to section 33-1080.

  • (2) All components of a fence, such as columns, posts, or other elements, shall be included in height measurements.

  • (c) Construction and maintenance. All fences and walls shall be constructed of new or good used material and shall be kept in good repair and adequately maintained. Any dilapidated, dangerous, or unsightly fences or walls shall be removed or repaired.

(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, §§ 1075.55.1—1075.55.4; Ord. No. 2021-10, § 6, 10-27-21; Ord. No. 2023-06, § 3, 3-8-23)

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▸ Contents — Escondido Zoning Code
Escondido Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 6
  2. Division 2 — Routing
  3. Division 2 — Weed and Rubbish Abatement Program
  4. ▸ Division 1 — Generally
    Overview
    1. § 11-53. Created and established.
    2. § 11-54. Purpose.
    3. § 11-55. Membership.
    4. § 11-56. Members in classified service and subject to civil se…
    5. § 11-57. Personnel to obey fire chief and rules and regulation…
    6. § 11-63. Appointment; tenure.
    7. § 11-64. Qualifications.
    8. § 11-65. Status of employment.
    9. § 11-66. General authority.
    10. § 11-67. To perform duties prescribed by city manager.
    11. § 11-68. To aid enforcement of ordinances, report violations.
    12. § 11-69. Duty to promulgate and enforce rules, regulations for…
    13. § 11-70. Authority, duty to inspect buildings, premises and or…
    14. § 11-71. Right of entry to make inspections.
    15. § 11-72. Duty to investigate fires, maintain records.
    16. § 11-73. Duty to preserve order at fires.
    17. § 11-74. Provide instruction for department in first aid, etc.
    18. § 11-75. Duty to call fire drills; purpose of drills.
    19. § 11-76. Responsible for conduct of and property of department.
    20. § 11-77. Duty to recommend disciplinary action.
    21. § 11-78. Duty to make reports; contents.
    22. § 11-79. To submit annual budget.
    23. Chapter 20
    24. Chapter 32
    25. ▸ Chapter 33
      Overview
      1. § 33-1313. Penalty provisions.
      2. Article 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
      3. Article 2 — OPEN SPACE AND HAZARDOUS LANDS GENERALLY
      4. Article 3 — OPEN SPACE (OS) ZONE
      5. Article 4 — FLOOD PLAIN (FP) OVERLAY ZONE
      6. Article 5 — OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      7. Article 6 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
      8. Article 9 — ANIMAL OVERLAY (AO) ZONE
      9. Article 11 — (RESERVED)
      10. Article 13 — (RESERVED)
      11. Article 16 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
      12. Article 18 — SPECIFIC PLAN (S-P) ZONE
      13. Article 19 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (P-D) ZONE
      14. Article 24 — (RESERVED)
      15. Article 25 — PARKING OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES IN RESIDENTIAL Z…
      16. Article 26 — INDUSTRIAL ZONES
      17. Article 27 — EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY
      18. Article 30 — HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL OVERLAY (H-C-O) ZONE
      19. Article 31 — SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT (S-T-P) OVERLAY ZONE
      20. Article 32 — BED AND BREAKFAST FACILITIES
      21. Article 33 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
      22. Article 34 — COMMUNICATION ANTENNAS
      23. Article 35 — OUTDOOR LIGHTING
      24. Article 36 — CARGO CONTAINER RESTRICTIONS
      25. Article 37 — PUBLIC ART
      26. Article 38 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
      27. Article 39 — OFF-STREET PARKING
      28. Article 40 — HISTORICAL RESOURCES
      29. Article 41 — SENIOR HOUSING
      30. Article 42 — ADULT BUSINESSES
      31. Article 43 — ABANDONED SERVICE STATIONS
      32. Article 44 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
      33. Article 45 — MOBILEHOME PARKS
      34. Article 46 — TRAVEL TRAILER PARKS
      35. Article 47 — ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
      36. Article 48 — RELOCATION OF BUILDINGS
      37. Article 49 — AIR SPACE CONDOMINIUM AND COMMUNITY APARTMENT PRO…
      38. Article 52 — FREEWAY SIGN CONTROL
      39. Article 55 — GRADING AND EROSION CONTROL
      40. ▸ Article 56 — MISCELLANEOUS DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
        Overview
        1. § 33-1070. Purpose.
        2. § 33-1071. Prohibitions.
        3. § 33-1072. Minimum lot area to be preserved.
        4. § 33-1073. Lot area for public buildings and utility buildings…
        5. § 33-1074. Minimum lot area where portion taken for public use.
        6. § 33-1075. Permitted structures in excess of height limit.
        7. § 33-1076. (Reserved)
        8. § 33-1077. Minimum yard areas to be preserved.
        9. § 33-1078. Through lots to have two front yards.
        10. § 33-1079. Permissible coverage of required rear yard.
        11. § 33-1080 as required by the front or side setback requirement…
        12. § 33-1080. Fences, walls and hedges.
        13. § 33-1081. Fencing design criteria.
        14. § 33-1083 ==> picture [349 x 423] intentionally omitted <==
        15. § 33-1082. Separation walls.
        16. § 33-1083. General fence and wall provisions.
        17. § 33-1084. Panhandle lots permitted.
        18. § 33-1085. Mechanical equipment and devices.
        19. § 33-1086. Utilities.
        20. § 33-1087. Minor public utility structures—Setback encroachmen…
        21. § 33-1088. Condominium or other independent forms of conversio…
      41. Article 57 — MISCELLANEOUS USE RESTRICTIONS
      42. Article 58 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
  5. Division 1
  6. Division 2 — Variances and Administrative Adjustments
  7. Division 3 — Nonconforming Uses and Structures
  8. Division 4 — Amendments and Zone Changes
  9. Division 5 — Reasonable Accommodation
  10. Division 6 — Public Hearings, Notices, Fees and Appeals
  11. Division 7 — Enforcement and Penalties
  12. Division 8 — Plot Plans
  13. Division 9 — Zoning Administrator

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