Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 8 — PLANNING AND ZONING›Chapter 8.68 — GENERAL STANDARDS FOR LOTS, YARDS, SETBACKS, FENCES AND WALLS
Moraga Municipal Code Art. 3 Fences and Walls
Moraga Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Moraga
Cite as: Moraga Municipal Code Article 3 · Text as of 2026-10-04
8.68.040 - Fences and walls within setbacks.¶
A. Fences in Front and Exterior Side Yard Setback Areas. No fence or wall higher than three feet is permitted within a front yard or exterior side yard setback area without the prior approval of the zoning administrator. Fences or walls exceeding six feet and up to seven feet six inches in height are permitted in the front or exterior side yard setback areas subject to approval of the design review board. The reviewing authority shall consider whether the fence design and location: (1) are aesthetically compatible in the neighborhood; and (2) do not create sight obstructions as set forth in Section 8.80.010.
B. Fences or Walls in Side and Rear Yard Setback Areas.
Fences or walls up to six feet in height are permitted within side or rear yard setback areas.
Fences or walls exceeding six feet and up to seven feet six inches in height are permitted in side or rear yard setback areas subject to approval of the design review board. The design review board shall consider whether the fence or wall design, height and location: (a) are aesthetically compatible with the neighborhood; (b) do not create sight obstructions as set forth in Section 8.80.010 or to the adjacent properties; and (c) do not create health and safety problems.
C. Fences or walls exceeding seven feet six inches in height and located within any setback require a variance approval from the planning commission with specific findings set forth in Section 8.12.130.
D. Open fencing up to seven feet in height is permitted in rural residential, MOSO, and nonMOSO open space districts. Such fencing is not subject to other provisions in Section 8.68.040, and does not require approval from the zoning administrator or the design review board.
E. The following are prohibited fence types/materials:
Barbed wire, razor, or concertina wire
Electrified fences
Chain link fencing (when visible from public areas, public rights-of-way, and/or private roadways)
Temporary fencing such as plastic or wire mesh fencing, barricades, and panel - system fences. (Except for construction sites, town-sponsored events, and temporary uses approved under Section 8.148.050).
(Ord. No. 268, § 6, 5-10-2017; Ord. No. 309, § 5(Exh. B, 5), 5-10-2023; Ord. No. 311, § 12, 12-13-2023)
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