Irvine Municipal Code Ch. 3-35 Wall and Fence Standards

These regulations apply to all walls and fences. Conformance with these requirements will be determined in accordance with the procedures for review of Master Plans in Chapter 2-17 and/or any other required permits and reviews. Exceptions to wall and fence standards may be requested through the administrative relief procedure in Chapter 2-2.

(Code 1976, § V.E-324.1; Ord. No. 92-3, 4-14-92; Ord. No. 92-21, 11-24-92; Ord. No. 94-7, § 3, 6-14-94; Ord. No. 97-06, § 3, 5-13-97; Ord. No. 13-08, § 2(Exh. A), 1-14-14)

A. Wall and fence heights. The maximum heights for fences or walls are listed below. No wall or fence shall obstruct visibility for access, as determined by Standard Plan 403.

1. Residential and institutional uses

a. Front. Fences and walls in the front setback area shall be no higher than two and one-half feet above grade at the property line. The fence or wall may be one foot higher for every three feet the fence or wall is set back from the property line, up to a maximum of seven feet above grade.

b. Streetside. Fences and walls in the streetside setback area shall meet the requirements in Section 3-35-2.A.1.a. above unless there is no vehicular access (driveway) from the street side. In this case, the height of the fence or wall may be seven feet above grade.

2. Industrial uses.

a. Front and streetside. Fences and walls in the front setback and streetside setback areas shall be no higher than three and one-half feet above grade. However, security fencing may be approved by the Director of Community Development if there is a demonstrated need for security purposes. The request for security fencing approval shall be submitted in a form as prescribed by the Director of Community Development. The maximum height of front and streetside fencing shall be seven feet above grade. The fence shall be constructed of wrought iron or similar materials and shall transmit a minimum of 75—85 percent light. If the fence cannot transmit a minimum of 75—85 percent light, the proposal shall be subject to approval by the Director of Community Development or designee. The fence shall not obstruct views of landscaping nor create a visibility problem for motorists.

b. Other. Fences and walls in rear or side setback areas shall be no higher than 12 feet above grade.

3. All other uses.

a. Front. Fences and walls shall be no higher than three and one-half feet above grade in the front setback area.

b. Streetside. Fences and walls shall be no higher than three and one-half feet above grade in the streetside setback area. If there is no vehicular access from the streetside setback area, the fence or wall may be seven feet above grade at the property line.

c. Other. Fences and walls in rear or side setback areas shall be no higher than seven feet above grade.

B. Exceptions to wall and fence heights.

1. If a retaining wall is combined with a fence or wall, the total combined height may reach a maximum of 10 feet above grade along the streetside and 12 feet along the rear property lines.

2. The maximum height of a fence or wall shall be two and one-half feet above grade within the sight triangle of any street intersection.

3. All walls and fences greater than seven feet in height, or community pool security fences of any height, shall require a building permit.

4. Fences and walls intended to restrict unauthorized entry into private community association pools, spas, equipment lease areas for wireless facilities, and recreational facilities may reach a maximum height of eight feet.

C. Wall and fence design.

1. Materials, colors, texture and alignment of walls shall be varied to relieve visual monotony.

2. Prohibited materials. Barbed wire, wire, electronically charged fences, plain exposed concrete block, plastic materials, chain link and grape stakes are prohibited.

3. Permitted materials. Vinyl-coated chain link and plain wire fences with posts may only be used in agricultural uses. In industrial and institutional zones, chain link fences with battens made of metal, redwood, plastic or equivalent material, electro-galvanized steel mesh fence coated in polyester plastic, and plain exposed concrete block may be used if the fence or wall will not be visible from any street.

4. Chain link may be used on a temporary basis at construction sites and agricultural sales uses. The location of the chain link fence shall be subject to approval of the Director of Community Development as a part of the agricultural sales permit. The fencing surrounding the crops/fields for annual agricultural sales uses shall be consistent with Section 3-35-2.C.3. Fencing shall be removed upon completion of construction for construction sites and upon expiration of an agricultural sales permit.

5. Agricultural uses may have fencing up to seven feet in height.

6. Chain link with battens may be used as a fencing material for industrial uses located in the IBC Industrial zoning district.

7. Chain link may be used as a fencing material for outdoor private park facilities such as, but not limited to, perimeter fencing, baseball backstops, or tennis courts.

(Code 1976, § V.E-324.2; Ord. No. 92-3, 4-14-92; Ord. No. 92-21, 11-24-92; Ord. No. 94-7, § 3, 6-14-94; Ord. No. 97-05, 5-13-97; Ord. No. 97-19, § 3, 11-11-97; Ord. No. 03-02, § 4, 1-14-03; Ord. No. 10-04, § 3, 4-13-10; Ord. No. 21-06, Exh. A, 6-8-21; Ord. No. 22-12, § 3(Exh. A), 8-9-22; Ord. No. 23-13, § 3(Exh. A), 7-11-23; Ord. No. 24-19, § 2(Exh. A), 11-26-24)

Exceptions to wall and fence standards may be requested through the administrative relief procedure in Chapter 2-2.

(Code 1976, § V.E-324.3; Ord. No. 92-3, 4-14-92; Ord. No. 92-21, 11-24-92; Ord. No. 94-7, § 3, 6-14-94)