Skip to content

Chapter 155 — ZONING REGULATIONS

§ 155.320 FENCES AND WALLS.

Eureka Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Eureka

§ 155.320.010 PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY.

This § 155.320 establishes standards for fences and walls in all zoning districts.

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19)

§ 155.320.020 REQUIRED PERMITS AND APPROVALS.

(A) No department approval required. Fences and walls consistent with this section are permitted by-right without the need to obtain a zoning clearance or other Department approval, unless otherwise stated.

(B) Building permit. Fences and walls may require a building permit as required by California Building Code.

(C) Encroachment permit. Fences and walls in the public right-of-way require an encroachment permit approved by the Public Works Department.

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19)

§ 155.320.030 MEASUREMENT OF FENCE AND WALL HEIGHT.

(A) Measurement of height.

(1) The height of a fence or wall is measured as the vertical distance from the highest finished grade at the base of the fence or wall to the top edge of the fence or wall. See Figure 320-1.

  • (2) Fence or wall height includes any materials directly attached to the fence or wall.

(B) Variable height fences. If the height of a fence varies due to features integral to the overall fence design, variable height elements of the fence may exceed the allowed height by a maximum of one-foot six-inches. See Figure 320-2.

Figure 320-1: Measurement of Fence Height

Figure 320-2: Variable Fence Height

(C) Fences on walls. If a fence is atop a wall, the fence height is measured from the base of the wall or the sidewalk, whichever results in a greater height, except as allowed by division (D) below.

(D) Different finished grades. If the adjacent finished grade is different on opposite sides of a fence or wall, the height is measured from the side with the highest finished grade to the highest point on the fence or wall.

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 902 C.-S., passed 8-18-20)

§ 155.320.040 MAXIMUM HEIGHT.

(A) Maximum height. Fences and walls may not exceed the maximum height shown in Table 320-1 and Figure 320-3.

(A)_Maximum height._Fences and walls may not exceed the maximum height shown in Table 320-1 and Figure 320-3.
Table 320-1: Allowed Fence Height
Maximum Height [1] [3]
Solid Fence Open Fence [2]
Table 320-1: Allowed Fence Height
Maximum Height [1] [3]
Solid Fence Open Fence [2]
Residential Zones
Front yard area between front building wall and front lot line 4 ft. 6 ft.
All other areas on lot 7 ft. 7 ft.
Mixed use zones - any location on lot 8 ft. [4] 8 ft.
Industrial, public facilities, and resource related zones - any location on lot 12 ft. 12 ft.
Notes:
[1] Fences exceeding 7 feet require a Building Permit and engineered plans.
[2] Open fences must utilize decorative masonry, ornamental steel or wrought iron, aluminum, brick, stone, or wood, and be at least 70% open to the
passage of light and air. Chain link and other woven wire fence materials smaller than 6 gauge are not allowed between a building and the street in
the residential and mixed-use zoning districts.
[3] See § 155.308.040 (Vision Clearance Area) for height limitations at street intersections and when adjacent to driveways and alleys.
[4] Solid fences taller than 3' (36") are not allowed between a building and the street in a mixed-use zone district.

Figure 320-3: Allowed Fence Height - Residential Zoning Districts

(B) Vision clearance area. Walls and fences shall comply with the vision clearance area requirements in § 155.308.040 (Vision Clearance Area).

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 902 C.-S., passed 8-18-20; Am. Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23)

§ 155.320.050 MATERIALS.

Table 320-2 identifies prohibited fence materials.

Table 320-2 identifies prohibited fence materials.
Table 320-2: Prohibited Fence Material
Fence Material Where Prohibited
Barbed wire All zoning districts except for industrial and resource-related zoning
districts
Razor or concertina wire All zoning districts, except when protecting critical infrastructure as
determined by the Public Works Director
Electrified fence All zoning districts except for resource-related zoning districts
Chain link and other woven wire fencing smaller than 6 gauge Between a building and the street in residential and mixed-use zoning
districts
Nails, broken glass, or other similar hazardous objects on the top
of fence or wall		 All zoning districts

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 902 C.-S., passed 8-18-20; Am. Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23)

§ 155.320.060 NON-CONFORMING FENCES AND WALLS.

Existing fences and walls that do not comply with this section may remain and may be repaired and modified in accordance with § 155.424.030(D) (Repairs and Modifications). When an existing fence or wall conflicts with § 155.308.040 (Vision Clearance Area), the conflict must be corrected when compliance with vision clearance area standards is triggered by § 155.424.030(B) (Required Compliance).

  • (Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 916-C.S., passed 7-6-21; Am. Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23)

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
▸ Contents — Eureka Zoning Code
Eureka Zoning Code
  1. Article I — NAME AND SEAL; FORM OF GOVERNMENT; BOUNDARIES; MUN…
  2. Article II — ELECTIONS
  3. Article III — CITY COUNCIL
  4. Article IV — MAYOR
  5. Article V — ORDINANCES
  6. Article VI — ADMINISTRATION
  7. Article VII — FISCAL ADMINISTRATION
  8. Article VIII — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
  9. Article IX — FRANCHISES
  10. Article X — INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL
  11. Article XI — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
  12. Chapter 10 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  13. Chapter 30 — CITY COUNCIL
  14. Chapter 31 — CITY OFFICIALS
  15. Chapter 32 — CITY DEPARTMENTS
  16. Chapter 33 — BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
  17. Chapter 34 — PERSONNEL POLICIES
  18. Chapter 35 — FINANCE, REVENUE AND TAXATION
  19. Chapter 36 — HEALTH FACILITY REVENUE BONDS
  20. Chapter 37 — ELECTIONS
  21. Chapter 38 — CIVIL EMERGENCIES
  22. Chapter 39 — CITY POLICY
  23. Chapter 40 — TRANSFERS OF CITY-OWNED REAL PROPERTY
  24. Chapter 50 — SEWERS
  25. Chapter 51 — SOLID WASTE
  26. Chapter 52 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
  27. Chapter 53 — WATER
  28. Chapter 54 — STORM WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONT…
  29. Chapter 55 — ENERGY
  30. Chapter 56 — STREETS
  31. Chapter 70 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  32. Chapter 71 — TRAFFIC RULES
  33. Chapter 72 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
  34. Chapter 73 — BICYCLES
  35. Chapter 75 — MOBILE VENDORS OPERATING UPON A STREET
  36. Chapter 90 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
  37. Chapter 91 — ANIMALS
  38. Chapter 92 — FIRE PREVENTION
  39. Chapter 93 — PARKS AND RECREATION
  40. Chapter 94 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
  41. Chapter 95 — MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
  42. Chapter 96 — PARADES AND ASSEMBLIES
  43. Chapter 97 — SMOKING
  44. Chapter 98 — STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
  45. Chapter 99 — TRAINS AND RAILROADS
  46. Chapter 100 — HARBOR REGULATIONS
  47. Chapter 101 — FILMING
  48. Chapter 102 — BEEKEEPING
  49. Chapter 103 — PRIVATE SECURITY AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
  50. Chapter 104 — MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE
  51. Chapter 110 — BUSINESS LICENSES
  52. Chapter 112 — AMBULANCES
  53. Chapter 113 — AMUSEMENTS
  54. Chapter 114 — CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEMS
  55. Chapter 115 — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND OUTDOOR DINING AREAS
  56. Chapter 117 — MASSAGE PARLORS
  57. Chapter 118 — SOLICITORS, CANVASSERS, AND SIDEWALK VENDORS
  58. Chapter 119 — SECOND-HAND DEALERS
  59. Chapter 120 — TAXICABS AND LIMOUSINES
  60. Chapter 121 — OTHER VEHICLES FOR HIRE
  61. Chapter 122 — FOREIGN-TRADE ZONE
  62. Chapter 130 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND SAFETY
  63. Chapter 131 — PROPERTY OFFENSES
  64. Chapter 132 — DRUG OFFENSES
  65. Chapter 133 — WEAPONS OFFENSES
  66. Chapter 134 — ABATEMENT OF CHRONIC NUISANCE PROPERTIES
  67. Chapter 150 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
  68. Chapter 151 — AIRPORT ZONING
  69. Chapter 152 — PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATION
  70. Chapter 153 — FLOOD HAZARD AREA REGULATIONS
  71. Chapter 154 — SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
  72. ▸ Chapter 155 — ZONING REGULATIONS
    Overview
    1. § 155.104 INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS.
    2. Section 155.104 - Section Title
    3. § 155.108 INTERPRETATION.
    4. § 155.112 RULES OF MEASUREMENT.
    5. § 155.116 ZONING DISTRICTS AND MAPS.
    6. § 155.204 RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS.
    7. § 155.208 MIXED-USE ZONING DISTRICTS.
    8. § 155.212 INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS.
    9. § 155.216 PUBLIC ZONING DISTRICTS.
    10. § 155.220 RESOURCE-RELATED ZONING DISTRICTS.
    11. § 155.224 OVERLAY ZONES.
    12. § 155.304 SUPPLEMENTAL USE REGULATIONS.
    13. § 155.308 GENERAL STANDARDS.
    14. § 155.312 DESIGN STANDARDS.
    15. § 155.316 ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.
    16. § 155.320 FENCES AND WALLS.
    17. § 155.324 PARKING.
    18. § 155.328 LANDSCAPING.
    19. § 155.332 RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION ALTERNATIVES.
    20. § 155.336 TEMPORARY USES AND STRUCTURES.
    21. § 155.340 SIGNS.
    22. § 155.344 DENSITY BONUS.
    23. § 155.404 ADMINISTRATION.
    24. § 155.408 PERMIT PROCEDURES.
    25. § 155.412 SPECIFIC PERMITS AND APPROVALS.
    26. § 155.416 APPEALS AND REVIEWS.
    27. § 155.420 POST-APPROVAL PROVISIONS.
    28. § 155.424 NONCONFORMITIES.
    29. § 155.428 ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.
    30. § 155.432 ZONING CODE AND GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS.
    31. § 155.504 LAND USE CLASSIFICATIONS.
    32. § 155.316 (Accessory Dwelling Units). An accessory dwelling un…
    33. § 155.508 DEFINED TERMS.
  73. Chapter 155 — ZONING REGULATIONS (old)
  74. Chapter 156 — COASTAL ZONING REGULATIONS
  75. Chapter 157 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
  76. Chapter 158 — CANNABIS
  77. Chapter 159 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.