Maywood Municipal Code Ch. 4 Fences, Walls and Hedges

No person shall erect or construct any fence or wall in the City, or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a building permit from the Building Official. No person shall perform repairs valued in excess of Two Hundred and no/100ths ($200.00) Dollars to any fence or wall in the City without first obtaining a building permit for such repairs.

(§ 1, Ord. 91-371, eff. February 21, 1991)

Fences constructed in the City shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) Chain link with metal posts, wood and post and slat fences shall have all supporting posts set a minimum of twenty-four (24″) inches into base soil and in a concrete base of sufficient size to provide a minimum of two (2″) inches of concrete between the post and surrounding earth (beside and below). Chain link fences in residential zones shall have knuckled salvage at the top and bottom. Wood posts so used shall be construction grade redwood or cedar only.

(b) Wrought iron, wood picket, and chain link fences shall have a concrete mow strip installed, centered under fence. The mow strip shall be a minimum of six (6″) inches wide and three and one-half inches (3 ½″) deep and shall be installed in a workmanlike manner.

(c) All fences shall be constructed of a generally recognized fencing material. Chain link and wrought iron are the only recognized metal fencing materials.

(d) All solid board or picket fences shall be constructed in a substantial manner and shall be true to line, sheathed on the outside and painted or finished on both sides. Color shall conform to the surrounding neighborhood.

(e) Masonry-type fences and walls up to six (6′) feet in height shall have foundations not less than twelve (12″) inches wide and twelve (12″) inches deep, into firm, undisturbed soil. Walls in excess of six (6′) feet in height shall be engineered to comply with the Building Code.

(f) Masonry pilasters shall not exceed twenty-four (24″) inches in thickness and shall be spaced not more than ten (10′) feet apart. Footings and foundations for pilasters shall be a minimum of thirty-six (36″) inches deep.

(g) Masonry-type fences and walls up to four (4″) feet in height shall have as vertical reinforcing steel, a minimum of three-eights (⅜″) inch deformed bars, spaced thirty-two (32″) inches maximum on center, with a hook bar eight (8″) inches into the foundation extending within one inch of the top of the fence or wall.

(h) Masonry-type fences and walls over four (4′) feet in height shall have as vertical reinforcing steel, a minimum of three-eighths (⅜″) inch deformed bars, spaced thirty-two (32″) inches maximum on center, and shall have a minimum of three-eighths (⅜″) inch horizontal bar under the bottom course of the blocks, one three-eighths (⅜″) inch horizontal bar at mid height, and one three-eighths (⅜″) inch horizontal bar under the top course of the blocks with all cells of the wall containing reinforcing bars to be solid grouted, one part cement and two and one-half (2 ½) to three (3) parts aggregate.

(§ 1, Ord. 91-371, eff. February 21, 1991)

Fences and walls erected within required side or rear yards of an interior lot or parcel of land, or the side yard along the interior side lot line of a corner or reversed corner lot or parcel of land shall not exceed a height limit of eight (8′) feet except as otherwise required or permitted by this chapter or any other ordinance, statute or law. In residential side yards, solid fences and walls shall not exceed a height limit of six (6′) feet. Fences and walls erected within a required rear or side yard on the street side of a corner or reversed corner lot or parcel of land shall not exceed a height limit of six (6′) feet. Fences constructed in the side and rear yards of public and private schools (not including preschools) shall be permitted to be constructed up to the height limits set forth in Section 8-4.04.

(§ 1, Ord. 91-371, eff. February 21, 1991, as amended by § 1, Ord. 05-508, eff. October 25, 2005, and § 1, Ord. 05-510, eff. December 13, 2006)

(a) Residential fences. Except as otherwise permitted in this chapter, fences within any required front yard in any residential zone shall not exceed the following height limits:

(1) Chain link fences, and other types of permitted fences not specifically enumerated herein shall not exceed a height limit of forty-eight (48″) inches or a height limit of ninety-six (96″) inches surrounding any public or private school (not including preschools) and its grounds.

(2) Fences made of wrought iron only, with no brick or other pilasters, shall not exceed a height limit of forty-eight (48″) inches or a height limit of ninety-six (96″) inches surrounding any public or private school (not including preschools) and its grounds.

(3) Fences with brick, stone or other approved pilasters may be constructed so that the pilasters are no higher than forty-eight (48″) inches and so that the wrought iron does not exceed a height limit of sixty-six (66″) inches or a height limit of ninety (90″) inches surrounding any public or private school (not including preschools) and its grounds.

No fence shall be constructed in any residential zone until the property owner or his or her designee has first submitted to, and received approval from, the Building and Planning Department of a plot plan showing the design, height, spacing and placement of the proposed fence.

(b) Commercial fences. In Commercial Zone the fencing material and height will be as determined by the Building Official, not to exceed the provisions for industrial fences set forth below.

(c) Industrial fences. In Manufacturing Zones, chain link fences and open ornamental iron fences in a required front yard shall not exceed eight (8′) feet in height. Solid fences in a required front yard shall not exceed six (6′) feet in height.

(d) Existing fences. Fences constructed prior to the adoption of the 1989 amendment to subsection (a) of Section 88.02.4 of the Maywood Zoning Ordinance, which were constructed under permit and became nonconforming by reason of said amendment shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 106.02, subsection 3 (Termination By Operation of Law) of the Zoning Ordinance.

(§ 1, Ord. 91-371, eff. February 21, 1991, as amended by § 1, Ord. 05-508, eff. October 25, 2005, and § 1, Ord. 05-510, eff. December 13, 2006)

All height restrictions applying to fences or walls shall also apply to hedges planted within required yards and forming a barrier serving the same purpose as a fence or wall.

(§ 1, Ord. 91-371, eff. February 21, 1991)

A barrier wall not to exceed six (6′) feet in height, serving to separate an area including several lots or parcels of land from the adjoining street or highway, may be established within five (5′) feet of a street or highway provided said wall is approved by the Planning Commission and is erected in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5120 (Site Plan Review) of the Maywood Zoning Ordinance.

(§ 1, Ord. 91-371, eff. February 21, 1991)

Where a solid masonry wall is required by this chapter, openings not greater than twenty (20′) feet are permitted for ingress and egress.

(§ 1, Ord. 91-371, eff. February 21, 1991)

Barbed wire and razor ribbon are the only sharp materials permitted. Fences having barbed wire or razor ribbon on the top shall be permitted only in the manufacturing zones and only where the barbed wire or razor top is not less than eight (8′) feet above the grade level. Fences topped with such material may be constructed and maintained in the commercial zones after a conditional use permit is obtained from the Planning Commission. Such fences shall be prohibited in any area zoned for residential use.

(§ 1, Ord. 91-371, eff. February 21, 1991)

All fences extending into setback spaces at right angles or parallel with any street in the City shall not exceed three (3′) feet in height and shall be of an ornamental type, true to line, and constructed in a substantial manner; provided, however, any ornamental open wire fence shall be constructed with steel or iron posts not exceeding two (2″) inches in diameter and may be four (4′) feet high within the setback space. It shall be unlawful to permit vines or other growth upon such wire fences.

(§ 1, Ord. 91-371, eff. February 21, 1991)

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to fences constructed on the property of schools or churches (not including preschools in residential areas) in use as a playground or which may be used solely for playground purposes; provided, however, any fence constructed on such playground in excess of the height limit of fences permitted by this section of this chapter shall be constructed of ornamental open wire with steel parts not less than two (2″) inches in diameter, and it shall be unlawful to permit vines or other growth upon such fences.

(§ 1, Ord. 91-371, eff. February 21, 1991)