Imperial County Municipal Code § 90403.00 Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to provide standards and promote safety by requiring provisions for adequate and well-designed fence and garden walls.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

All fence and other land use separation walls or devices shall meet the regulations established by this chapter.

EXCEPTION:

The following shall not be required to obtain permits:

A. Animal containment corrals in approved feed yards.

B. Animal containment field fencing (temporary).

C. Temporary security fencing for construction sites.

D. Emergency or security fencing.

E. Wood, stucco, wrought iron or chain link fencing less than six feet in height in any zone.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

A. Fences shall be constructed of approved "fencing" or construction materials. Materials such as tires, cans, broken glass, used car components, vehicles or other similar products are not allowed.

B. Barbed, or razor edge wire is prohibited in all residential zones, or on property abutting residential zones.

C. Electrified fences are prohibited in all zones except for use in animal containment in the "A" zones, or security fencing in federal, state or county institutions.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

All fences shall be located on or within the property lines of the applicant's property. Fences on property line may be allowed if a mutual agreement by or between adjacent property owner is recorded at the county recorder's office. Absent an agreement between owners, the fence shall set back from property line by a minimum of two inches.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

All fences shall meet Code or accepted fence construction standards.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

A construction permit for the placement of a fence is required for the following:

A. Retaining walls that are over four (4) feet (1219.2 mm) in height measured from bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or retaining walls that are supporting a sur-charge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids, regardless of the height.

B. All masonry fences in all zones that are more than four (4) feet in height, including masonry pilasters with solid grouted cells or concrete columns for wall reinforcement or support of chain link, wrought iron, etc. The construction shall follow specifications from the 2019 California Building Code adopted by the County of Imperial, and the construction shall be designed by a registered professional civil engineer or architect, licensed in the State of California. Plans, calculations and a soils report may be required.

However, even though masonry walls four (4) feet or less in height are not required to be designed by a professional civil engineer or architect, a building permit for, the construction is required and shall comply with the minimum requirements contained in the masonry fences handout, available at the Planning and Development Services Department's Building Division, and a compliance inspection for foundation, reinforcement and final must be requested.

C. All other fences (e.g., wood, chain-link, wrought iron, etc.) in all zones that are more than eighty-four (84) inches in height.

D. All razor edge, or barbwire in any authorized location except where used as animal containment or in State or Federal or County approved facilities.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20; Ord. No. 1587, §§ 1, 2, 12-5-23)

A. Within any "R" zone, or "A" zone with primary residential use or characteristics of a residential enclave, fencing located within the required front yard setback area shall not exceed thirty (30) inches in height if obscure, or forty-eight (48) inches if translucent. Decorative ornaments up to twelve (12) inches and not exceeding the width of post will be allowed above the heights shown above in Section 90403.05.

B. Within any zone on a corner parcel, the fencing if installed shall not obstruct or hinder the line of sight for traffic conditions; and shall not exceed thirty (30) inches in height.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)