Article I — Fences, Walls and Hedges

Unless otherwise required by provisions of this title, the provisions of this chapter shall be the requirements governing the construction and maintenance of all fences, walls, hedges, and visual barriers.

(Ord. 98 § 12.12, 1974)

There shall be a corner cutoff area on the side of each corner and reversed corner lot abutting intersecting public or private streets intersecting with public streets. This corner cutoff shall be defined by a line in a horizontal plane, taken at a forty-five-degree angle, connecting two points twenty-five feet from the intersection of property lines or the prolongation of such property lines, as shown in Figure 17.14.020. The maximum height of visual barriers, including but not limited to signs, and vegetation, fences, and walls, shall not exceed thirty-six inches above the top of the curb or forty-four inches above the surface of the street.

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(Ord. 98 § 12.12.01(a) (1), 1974; Ord. 192 § 1, 1978; Ord. 368 § 1, 1987)

There shall be a corner cutoff area where any private driveway or alley intersects a street. Said corner cutoff shall be on both sides of the driveway or alley and be determined by a line drawn in a horizontal plane at a forty-five-degree angle with the front property line and through a point not less than ten feet from the edge of the driveway or alley where it intersects the street right-of-way. (Ord. 98 § 12.12.01(a) (2), 1974; Ord. 192 § 1, 1978)

Where, due to an irregular lot shape, a line at a forty-five-degree angle does not provide for intersection visibility, said corner cutoff shall be defined by a line drawn from a point on the front (or rear) property line that is not less than twenty-five feet from the intersection of the side and front (or rear) property lines and through a point on the side property line that is not less than twenty-five feet from said intersection of the side and front (or rear) property lines. (Ord. 98 § 12.12.01(a) (3), 1974; Ord. 192 § 1, 1978)

Wrought iron fences not over four feet in height are permitted in any front yard or corner cut-off area. (Ord. 98 § 12.12.01(a) (4), 1974; Ord. 192 § 1, 1978; Ord. 764 § 2, 2021)

No fence over four feet in height, nor any wall or hedge over three feet in height shall be permitted in any required front yard of any lot with the exception of those fences permitted in Section 17.14.120 . Chainlink fences are not permitted in any portion of a required front yard in any residential zone.

(Ord. 98 § 12.12.01(b) (1), 1974; Ord. 192 § 1, 1978; Ord. 371 § 1, 1987; Ord. 764 § 2, 2021)

Fences, walls and hedges not to exceed six feet in height shall be permitted on or within all side property lines on interior lots.

(Ord. 98 § 12.12.01 (b) (2), 1974; Ord. 192 § 1, 1978)

Fences, walls and hedges not to exceed six feet in height shall be permitted on or within all rear property lines and rear yards on interior lots. The maximum height of six feet can be increased to a maximum of eight feet in height when adjacent properties differ in elevation or other special circumstances exist as determined by the community development director. Such increase in height shall not create visual obstruction for traffic or pedestrians and shall meet other applicable standards of this title.

(Ord. 98 § 12.12.01 (b) (3), 1974; Ord. 192 § 1, 1978; Ord. 764 § 2, 2021; Ord. 778, 11/14/2023)

Administrative relief may be granted from the requirements of Section 17.14.080 when practical difficulties arise, or results inconsistent with the intent or purpose of this title occur by reason of the strict and literal interpretation of language. Such relief may be granted by the planning director in a written report permanently attached to the fence permit if one of the following findings can be made:

• A. The topographic relationship between the reversed corner and key lot is such that the elevation of the top of a three-foot fence on the rear property line of the reverse corner lot would be greater than six feet above the grade of the key lot.

• B. There currently exists established vegetation of a permanent nature along the subject property line which is greater than six feet in height and is within the required corner cutoff area.

• (Ord. 98 § 12.12.01(b) (3), 1974; Ord. 192 § 1, 1978; Ord. 200 § 1, 1978)

On reverse corner lots fences, walls and hedges not greater than six feet in height may be located in the required side yard not closer than fifteen feet to the side property line abutting a street, on or to the rear of all front yard setback lines. Corner lot fences, walls, and hedges may be located in the required side yard no closer than five feet to the property line abutting a street, on or to the rear of all front yard setback lines.

(Ord. 98 § 12.12.01(b) (4), 1974; Ord. 192 § 1, 1978; Ord. 764 § 2, 2021; Ord. 778, 11/14/2023)

On reverse corner and corner lots fences, walls and hedges shall be allowed from the rear corner of the structure which is closest to the side property line and back to the rear property line at a height

not to exceed five feet, except within the corner cutoff area defined by Section 17.14.080 . (Ord. 98 § 12.12.01(b) (5), 1974; Ord. 192 § 1, 1978)

• A. Regulations for nonresidential districts shall be the same as for residential zones, except that chainlink or wrought iron fences shall be permitted to a maximum height of eight feet.

• B. Whenever a nonresidential zone abuts a residential zone, a minimum six-foot-high solid masonry block wall fence as measured from highest grade shall be installed on, or in a replacement situation, a fence of similar materials and height to the existing to be replaced fence may be installed.

• C. Fences which enclose school grounds, public utility installations, public playgrounds, tennis courts, public swimming pools, or similar areas may be permitted to exceed maximum height limitations subject to approval by the planning department.

• D. Only decorative, nonmetallic fencing materials of earthen coloration, or decorative wrought iron to be approved by the city council, shall be permitted within the front and exterior side yards of all properties having frontage upon certain streets within the city. Streets to which this regulation applies shall be designated by resolution of the city council.

• (Ord. 98 § 12.12.02, 1974; Ord. 256 § 1, 1981; Ord. 371 § 2, 1987; Ord. 764 § 2, 2021)

• A. No electrically charged fences except for enclosing livestock shall be permitted.

• B. No barbed-wire or similar material shall be permitted except at a height exceeding six feet above grade or to enclose livestock.

• (Ord. 98 § 12.12.03, 1974)

All persons erecting any type of fence or wall in the exterior side yard or in the front yard of any lot or parcel of land within the city shall make application for such permit to the city. Permit applications shall contain the following information:

• A. Name of person requesting permit and property owner;

• B. Address of construction;

• C. Plot plan delineating lot lines and the height and location of proposed fence or wall; the type of fence or wall must also be specified;

• D. Any other information deemed necessary.

• (Ord. 98 § 12.12.04(a), 1974; Ord. 192 § 3, 1978)

• A. All fence and wall erection shall be inspected by the city public works inspector in accordance with the following schedule:

  1. First inspection shall be made of footings and/or post holes to verify compliance with location requirements.

  2. Final inspection shall be conducted upon completion of construction to verify height regulations.

• B. All fence and wall construction shall be in conformance with this chapter. This section shall not be construed as requiring inspection of the structural stability of said fences or walls, and all retaining walls shall be subject to permit issuance and inspection by the city building department.

• (Ord. 98 § 12.12.04(b), 1974; Ord. 192 § 3, 1978)

A fee for each fence or wall permit shall be paid to the city prior to its issuance. Said fees shall be set by resolution by the city council of the city.

(Ord. 98 § 12.12.04(c), 1974; Ord. 192 § 3, 1978)

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(Ord. 192, 1978; Ord. 764 § 2, 2021)