Chapter 10.28 — FENCES, HEDGES, AND WALLS

This Chapter establishes standards and regulations for the construction and maintenance of fences and walls, and the planting and maintenance of hedges used for screening or buffering purposes. The standards are intended to ensure that all fences, hedges, and walls provide desired privacy and safety but do not create a public safety hazard or nuisance, and meet the City’s standards for quality design and maintenance. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

• A. Fences and Walls. The following fences and walls shall require a permit.

1. Any fence or wall requires a Zoning Clearance and shall comply with applicable provisions of Article 6 (Permit Procedures) prior to receiving a Building Permit.

2. Any fence or wall may require a Building Permit and shall comply with applicable provisions of Title 8 (Building Regulations).

3. A Minor Use Permit, obtained pursuant to Chapter 10.84 (Conditional Use Permits and Minor Use Permits), shall be required for any fence or wall that exceeds the maximum height limits set forth in Section 10.28.030 (Maximum Permitted Heights). Permits will not be issued for any fence or wall located within any required front setback area or within the required Vision Clearance Triangle (Section 10.24.030 Vision Clearance Triangle at Intersections) that exceeds 42 inches in height.

B. Hedges. No permit shall be required for hedges. Hedges shall be kept trimmed to conform to the maximum permitted heights indicated in Table 3-2. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

• A. General. Table 3-2 identifies the maximum permitted heights for fences, hedges, and walls.

B. Light Fixtures on Walls - Height. A light fixture up to 18 inches in height may be mounted atop a 42-inch post, column, or pilaster that is part of a fence or wall.

C. Front Yard Setback Fence Height on Cul-de-Sac Lots. Where a lot is located at the end of a cul-de-sac and the side yard abuts an arterial roadway, as designated in the General Plan, a maximum six-foot-high wall or fence may be permitted within that portion of the front yard setback that abuts the arterial roadway, as indicated in Figures 3-4 and 3-5.

Figure 3-4

Front Yard Setback Fence Height

Figure 3-5

Front Yard Setback Fence Height

D. Specific Plans. For adopted Specific Plans, fence, hedge, and wall heights shall comply with the standards set forth in the Specific Plan. Where the Specific Plan is silent with regard to fence, hedge, and wall height, the standards for the zone that most closely approximates the Specific Plan shall apply, as determined by the Director. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

A. General. For the purposes of this Chapter 10.28, fence, hedge, and wall height shall be measured as the vertical distance from the ground elevation or finished grade of the property on which the fence, hedge, or wall is erected or planted to the highest point of the fence, hedge, or wall. To allow for variation in topography on a parcel, the height of a fence, hedge, or a wall may vary up to six inches.

B. Difference in Grade Height between Two Parcels. Where there is a difference in the ground elevation or finished grade between two adjoining parcels of less than two feet, the height of any fence or wall constructed along the common property line shall be determined by using the finished grade of the highest contiguous parcel (see Figure 3- 6). When there is a difference in the ground level between two adjacent parcels of two feet or more, the height of a fence or wall shall be determined by the Director. The Director shall consider the physical and visual height impact on abutting properties.

Figure 3-6

Measurement of Fence or Wall Height

C. Retaining Wall Heights. Where there is a necessary retaining wall for a lot that is above a sidewalk or top of curb grade, additional wall height may be allowed, subject to all of the following criteria.

1. Retaining Walls in Front Yard Setback. A retaining wall within the required front yard setback shall not exceed 42 inches in height, provided:

a. Fences on top of retaining walls may not exceed 42 inches in height, and such fence shall be open and nonview obscuring, consistent with 10.28.070 (Open and Non-View Obscuring Fences).

b. A solid wall or fence may be located on top of a retaining wall, provided that the combined height of the fence and retaining wall does not exceed 42 inches in height.

2. Retaining Walls in Rear and Side Yard Setback. A retaining wall within the required rear or side yard setback shall not exceed seven feet, provided:

a. A seven-foot high fence that is open and non-view obscuring may be located on top of the retaining wall. b. A solid wall or fence may be located on top of a retaining wall, provided that the combined height of the fence and retaining wall does not exceed seven feet in height, as measured from the finished grade.

3. Retaining Wall along Side Street. A retaining wall within the side street yard shall not exceed six feet in height, provided:

a. Fences on top of retaining walls may not exceed seven feet in height, and such fence shall be open and nonview obscuring, consistent with 10.28.070 (Open and Non-View Obscuring Fences).

b. A solid wall or fence may be located on a retaining wall, provided that the combined height of the wall and additional wall or fence does not exceed seven feet in height, as measured from finished grade.

4. Additional Retaining Wall. An additional solid wall or fence may be constructed above a 42-inch retaining wall in the front yard setback area and seven-foot high retaining wall in the rear and side yard setback area, provided that a minimum separation of two feet is provided between the retaining wall and the additional solid wall or fence, and the area between the walls is landscaped. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

A. Residential Zones. The following fencing materials are prohibited in all residential zones: chicken wire and similar small-gauge wire or mesh product, barbed or razor wire, chain-link fencing, plastic (except for an engineered plastic fence), fabric membranes, cloth, canvas, plywood, corrugated steel or plastic, and reed or bamboo sticks and slats smaller than four inches in width (for individual sticks or slats).

B. All Other Zones. The following fencing materials are prohibited in all non-residential zones: wood, chicken wire and similar small-gauge wire or mesh product, barbed or razor wire, plastic (except for an engineered plastic fence),

and chain-link fencing. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

A. Residential Zones. Where a fence or wall is provided, both sides of the fence or wall shall have a finished appearance. For walls, the top of the wall shall include a decorative cap or finish.

B. All Other Zones. Wall materials, patterns, and colors shall be consistent with building materials and architectural treatments used on the same site. Both side of the wall shall be finished, and the top of the wall shall include a decorative cap or finish. Wherever possible, wall surfaces shall be softened with plantings and landscaping. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

Fences that are required to be open and non-view obscuring shall consist of one of the following:

1. Decorative wrought iron, tubular steel, or similar material with caps;

2. Wrought iron, tubular steel, or similar material combined with intermittent block columns not more than one and one-half feet wide and no less than eight feet apart;

3. Wood picket 50 percent open. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

A. New Fences and Walls.

1. Wherever a fence or wall on private property is to be erected along a property line or portion of private property abutting a public street right-of-way and can be seen from that right-of-way, that fence or wall shall be constructed of highly durable and attractive materials pursuant to the provisions of subsections 10.28.050 (Prohibited Fencing Materials) and 10.28.060 (Fence and Wall Materials); however, fabric membranes, cloth, canvas, plywood, corrugated steel or plastic, and reed or bamboo sticks and slats smaller than four inches in width (for individual sticks or slats) shall specifically be prohibited.

2. All fences and walls along the right-of-way shall have a finished surface, with finishing to include the encasing of fence posts, and use of stained or otherwise finished materials, and any walls shall include a decorative column, pilaster, or other break every eight to 10 feet to reduce the massing of the wall along the public right-of-way. Such pilasters or posts shall be constructed of materials aesthetically complementary to the wall finish.

3. Wood fences are prohibited along street side yards and rear yards abutting the following streets:

• a. Puente Avenue;

• b. Temple Avenue;

• c. Amar Road;

• d. Hacienda Boulevard;

• e. Unruh Avenue;

• f. Sunset Avenue;

• g. Valley Boulevard.

B. Fences and Walls - Maintenance and Repairs. Wherever a fence or wall on private property has been erected along a property line or portion of private property abutting a public right-of-way and can be seen from that right-ofway, that fence or wall shall be continuously maintained in a sound structural and aesthetic condition, with no missing fence slats or block wall portions, not leaning, appropriately painted or stained or otherwise finished, and free from graffiti. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)