§ 155.320 FENCES AND WALLS.

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

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

(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)

(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)

(A) Maximum height. Fences and walls may not exceed the maximum height shown inTable 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)

Table 320-2 identifies prohibited fence materials.

Table 320-2: Prohibited Fence Material

Fence Material Where Prohibited

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

(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)

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)