Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 16 — DEVELOPMENT CODE›Chapter 16.20 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
Hesperia Municipal Code Art. III Projection into Yards
Hesperia Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Hesperia
Cite as: Hesperia Municipal Code Article III · Text as of 2026-10-04
16.20.065 - General provisions.¶
All required yards or court areas shall be open and unobstructed from finished grade or from such other specified level at which the yard or court is required, to the sky, except for structures allowed in yard or court by the table in Section 16.20.075. The architectural projections listed in Section 16.20.075 must be attached to the principal building allowed on the lot.
(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 87.0801)
(Ord. No. 2009-09, § 3(Exh. A), 10-20-09)
16.20.070 - Clear areas.¶
The projections listed in the table in Section 16.20.075 may not, in any event, encroach on the following:
A. The clear sight triangle required at traffic intersections by Sections 16.20.045.
B. Within five feet of any yard in which the projection is not allowed.
C. Within five feet of any lot line (three feet for substandard lots). (Exception: Projections listed in items 1 and 6 in Section 16.20.075 may encroach to within three feet of a lot line.)
(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 87.0805)
(Ord. No. 2009-09, § 3(Exh. A), 10-20-09)
(Ord. No. 2019-01, § 3(Exh. A), 2-5-19)
16.20.072 - Fences and walls.¶
A. Fences and walls within the front yard setback may be approved by the director of development services or his designee as provided in subsection B and shall require the approval of a plot plan.
B. Standards for Fences and Walls within the Front Yard Setback Area. The maximum height of a wall, fence or hedge shall be limited to a maximum of thirty-six (36) inches above grade when view-obscuring; however, non-view-obscuring estate type fences (i.e., those constructed of ornamental metal and masonry pillars) may be constructed in the front yard up to a maximum of six (6) feet above grade (Chain link with slats is not considered an ornamental fence, and is limited in height to thirty-six (36) inches unless on a lot at least fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet or larger). The director of development services or his designee may limit the height and alter the size and location of fences and pillars, based on the position of the residence as well as other factors, which may include the topography of the site, development on adjacent parcels, and legally located structures and utilities. In no event shall any view-obscuring portion of the estate type fence, other than pillars consistent with Section 16.20.045, exceed the maximum height of thirty-six (36) inches above grade. The maximum height of fences, walls, and hedges shall be as provided within the table below:
| Fencing | Front and Street Side Yards | Rear and Interior Side Yards |
|---|---|---|
| Fences, screening, safety guard rails, walls | Allowed | Allowed |
| Commercial and all zones other than Agricultural, Residential or Industrial | 6 ft. max. height | 10 ft. max. height |
| Industrial † In accordance with Section 16.16.415(13) | 12 ft. max. height | 12 ft. max. height |
| Agricultural & Residential | 3 ft. max. high solid and open wire with slats fencing. 4 ft. open wire max. height in the front yard of lots under 15,000 square feet in net area. (16.20.080 A & B) 6 ft. max. height in front yards for open wire fencing without slats on lots at least 15,000 square feet in net area. 6 ft. high solid or open wire fencing with slats shall be allowed in the area of the front yard which overlaps the street side yard if the fence does not encroach within a required clear sight triangle. The fence may also extend across the front yard to connect to a logical portion of the residence to form a private yard as approved by the director of development services or his designee (chain link is not considered an ornamental fence and is limited in height as provided herein). 6 ft. max. height within street side yards | 6 ft. max. height |
| All residential tracts zoned R1 or located within the Main Street and Freeway Corridor Specific Plan | Fencing for all residential lots shall consist of a 6 ft. high block wall on all sides. A 6 ft high split face block wall shall be required on all sides that are viewable from the right-of-way. Internal sides not viewable from the right-of-way may be precision block. |
C. Fences, walls or yard enclosures (not including animal enclosures) shall be constructed of approved materials. Approved materials include masonry block, split face block, wrought iron, chain link, wood or plastic slats, vinyl fencing, and split rail. Any other material must be approved by the Director or designee as a fencing material. Fencing constructed of approved materials must still meet all other requirements of this code, including but not limited to design standards and permitting requirements.
D. All fencing shall be constructed to add to the overall look of the property, installed in a professional manner using treated materials to withstand the environment. In no case shall a fence be constructed of secondhand or castoff materials not originally designed for fencing. Examples of prohibited materials include, but are not limited to garage doors, corrugated metal scrap, mattresses, tires, car parts, and plywood less than five-eighths inches thick, plywood not of a grade approved by the director or designee, particle board, paper, visgueen plastic, plastic tarp, cloth or similar material.
E. Animal enclosures shall be constructed of materials treated and installed to withstand the environment, be appropriate for the keeping of animals, and be properly maintained. Animal enclosures shall meet all other requirements of this code. The materials listed as prohibited in Section D are also prohibited for use as an animal enclosure.
(Ord. No. 2019-01, § 3(Exh. A), 2-5-19; Ord. No. 2021-01, 3(Exh. A), 6-1-21)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 2019-01, § 3(Exh. A), adopted February 5, 2019, set out provisions intended for use as § 16.20.080. For purposes of classification, and at the editor's discretion, these provisions have been included as 16.20.072.
16.20.075 - Table of projections into yards and courts.¶
| Facilities | Front and Street Side Yards | Interior Side Yards and Courts | Rear Yard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Eaves; awnings, canopies, louvers and similar shading devices; sills, cornices, planting boxes and similar features; skylights, flues, chimneys, and bay windows and media alcoves not exceeding 7 ft. in width and not constituting floor area; similar architectural features (May encroach to within 3 feet from lot line.). | Eaves, awnings, and canopies may encroach up to 10 ft., provided they are a minimum of 6 ft. from the right-of-way and do not extend over any portion of a septic system. 4 ft. for all others. | 2 ft. | 4 ft. |
| 2. HVAC and other mechanical equipment, and pool/ |
4 ft. when screened from view | 5 ft. from side property line | 4 ft. |
| 3. Attached patio, portico, or similar residential accessory structure having open, unwalled sides along not less than 50% of their perimeters. | 10 ft. The structure shall be a minimum of 6 ft. from the right-of-way and shall not extend over any portion of a septic system. | Not Allowed | May occupy no more than 25% of 15 ft. rear yard. Minimum 5 ft. separation from rear lot line. |
| 4. Breezeways and similar roofed passageways projecting from a residential building. | 10 ft. The structure shall be a minimum of 6 ft. from the right-of-way and shall not extend over any portion of a septic system. | Allowed | 2 ft. |
| 5. Cantilevered decks; and cantilevered bay windows located above the first story of a building, if the total width of bay windows on any one story does not exceed 50% of the length of the wall containing them. | 4 ft. | 3 ft. (May encroach to within3 ft. of lot line.) | 4 ft. |
| 6. Roofed stairways, landings corridors and fire escapes that are enclosed. (May encroach to within 3 feet from lot line.) | 5 ft. | 3 ft. | 10 ft. |
| 7. Porches, platforms or stairways that are uncovered, or landings of average height not greater than 4 feet above required yard or court level, plus railings up to 4 feet high. | 10 ft. The structure shall be a minimum of 6 ft. from the right-of-way and shall not extend over any portion of a septic system. | 4 ft. | 10 ft. |
| 8. Open storage of boats, trailers, appliances and similar materials and temporary trash storage. (Not applicable to parking of commercial vehicles.) | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Allowed |
| 9. Slides, clotheslines and similar equipment and radio or television masts or antennas. | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Allowed |
| 10. Garages, carports, sheds and other detached, enclosed accessory buildings. Metal residential and agricultural accessory buildings, cargo containers, trailers without axles and similar storage structures are also regulated by Section 16.20.420, whichever is more restrictive. | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Allowed May occupy no more than 25% of rear yard. Minimum 5 ft. separation from side and rear lot lines. |
| 11. Unroofed parking and loading areas. Commercial and Industrial. Includes parking of commercial vehicles in Residential and Agricultural Zones. (Per Residential Parking Standards.) | Allowed | Allowed in Side Yards. Not Allowed in Courts. | Allowed |
| 12. Covered, underground or partially excavated structures, such as garages, fallout shelters, wine cellars and basements. | Allowed, provided that: 1. The top surfaces of the facilities are landscaped or developed as patios or terraces without roofs. 2. The facilities do not extend more than 30 inches above the average adjoining level of finished grade. | Allowed, provided that: 1. The top surfaces of the facilities are landscaped or developed as patios or terraces without roofs. 2. The facilities do not extend more than 30 inches above the average adjoining level of finished grade. | Allowed, provided that: 1. The top surfaces of the facilities are landscaped or developed as patios or terraces without roofs. 2. The facilities do not extend more than 30 inches above the average adjoining level of finished grade. |
| 13. Permanently mounted barbeque equipment | Permitted if screened within a porch or other approved accessory structure | Min. 3 ft. from property line | Min. 3 ft. from property line |
| 14. Trees, shrubs and landscaping, other than dense hedges with a screening effect; sculpture and similar decorations; flagpoles; unroofed paving; driveways; walkways; and utility poles and lines. | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| 15. Signs | Allowed subject to Sign Standards as specified in the applicable zone/ |
Allowed subject to Sign Standards as specified in the applicable zone/ |
Allowed subject to Sign Standards as specified in the applicable zone/ |
| 16. Swimming pools | Not allowed in front yards. Allowed in street side yards no closer than 5 ft. to property line. | 5 ft. from side property line | 5 ft. from rear property line |
| 17. Residential and agricultural accessory structures, including metal accessory structures (not metal buildings) and other accessory structures not enumerated elsewhere in this table | Not allowed | Not allowed | Allowed |
(Ord. 2006-23 § 5 (Exh. A), 2006; Ord. 2001-09 Exh. A (part), 2001: Ord. 2001-14 § 2, 2001; Ord. 250 Exh. A (part), 1998; Ord. 237 § 5, 1996; Ord. 43 § 2, 1989; SBCC § 87.0810)
(Ord. No. 2009-09, § 3(Exh. A), 10-20-09; Ord. No. 2022-02, § 3(Exh. A), 3-15-22)
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