Petaluma Municipal Code Ch. 13 Placement of Fences and Walls

Sections:

13.010 Applicability.

13.020 Location and Height of Fencing.

13.025 Modi4cations to Fence Location and Height.

13.030 Measurement of Fence and Wall Height.

13.040 Speci4c Fence and Wall Requirements.

13.050 Retaining Walls.

13.060 Fence Permit Required.

The regulations for fences and walls contained in this chapter apply to the OSP, AG, RR, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, C1, C2,

MU1A, MU1B, MU1C, MU2, BP, I, and CF zoning districts. Fences and walls are prohibited in the Floodway zoning

district. For properties zoned PUD and PCD, the height, location and design of fencing is determined by the PUD/

PCD Development Standards for the speciCc PUD/PCD in which the property is located.

The location and height of fencing and walls is determined by the setback for the zoning district in which the

property is located (Tables 4.6 through 4.13). The permitted height and location of fencing and walls shall be as

indicated in Table 13.1 subject to the required setback of the applicable zoning district.

Table 13.1

Location of Fence or Wall Maximum Height

Within required front setback or on the front 42 inches
property line 8 ft. Minor decorative entry treatments (e.g.

arbor, trellis, etc.)

42 inches Within required street side setback1 or on the

street side property line

Within required interior side or rear setback2 6 ft solid2 or open fencing

2 ft of additional screening at least 50% open

Location of Fence or Wall Maximum Height

Outside of a required setback 6 ft solid or open fencing

2 ft of additional screening at least 50% open

Within a zone where no setback is required:

Within 15 feet of a front property line 42 inches

Within 5 feet of a street side property line 42 inches

15 feet or more to the rear of a front 6 ft solid or open fencing
property line 2 ft of additional screening at least 50% open

5 feet or more from a street side property 6 ft solid or open fencing
line 2 ft of additional screening at least 50% open

At intersections of alleys, streets and 42 inches
driveways within the sight visibility triangle3

Floodway Walls and fences are not permitted in the

Doodway

1. As prescribed in Section 13.025(B).

2. As prescribed in Section 13.025(C).

3. On a corner lot, the site visibility triangle is determined by the triangular area formed by the curb lines

and their projection and a line connecting them at points 35 feet from the intersection of the projected

curb lines (See Figure 13.1). For driveways, the site visibility triangle is determined by the triangular area

formed as shown in Figure 13.1. For driveways, the measurement is taken from the back of the sidewalk, or

where there is no sidewalk as determined by the Director.

Figure 13.1 – Fence Location Exhibit

A. For Dag lots, lots that are not rectangular, and parcels where the required fence setback required in Table

13.1 is not consistent with the required setback for the zoning district in which the property is located, the Director

may grant a modiCcation to the required fence location and/or height contained in this chapter.

B. A 6 foot fence may be located in a required street side setback provided that the fence is a minimum of 5 feet

from the street side property line and the area between the property line and the fence is landscaped. As part of

the fence permit, a landscape plan for this area shall be submitted for this area and the landscaping shall be

installed with the fence. Low water use, drought tolerant landscaping is encouraged.

C. An additional two (2) feet of fence height may be added to any permitted six (6) foot high fence located on the

rear or interior side property line of a residential lot abutting a public, quasi-public facility of potentially noxious

use (e.g., school, corporation yard, bicycle paths, pump house, etc.) as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

A. Fence height shall be measured as the vertical distance between the grade of the ground abutting the fence

and the top edge of the fence material.

B. For fences on sloping ground or on retaining walls, solid fence height of six (6) feet may be permitted as

measured from the up-slope property so long as a total height, inclusive of any retaining wall, does not exceed ten

(10) feet as measured from the down-slope property. See Figure 13.2

Figure 13.2 – Fence Height Measurement

A. Additional Screening. An additional two (2) feet of screening material that is at least 50% open may be placed

on top of a 6-foot fence.

B. Temporary Security Fencing. Temporary security fencing may be erected around construction sites during the

time a valid building permit is in eFect for construction with the approval of the Community Development

Director. Temporary security fences are not required to comply with the location requirements of Table 13.1 and

must be immediately removed upon completion of the construction authorized by the building permit.

C. Fencing for Outdoor Storage of Goods and Vehicles, Keeping of Livestock. A maximum of one (1) foot of vertical

barbed wire may be installed on top of fences and walls located in AG and I Districts with the approval of a fence permit by the Zoning Administrator (Community Development Director) provided that the use served includes the

outdoor storage of goods or vehicles or keeping of livestock.

D. Fencing for Tennis Courts. When located in a rear or side yard, up to twelve (12) feet of fence height may be

permitted for tennis courts with the approval of a conditional use permit.

E. Fencing for Commercial Recreation Uses. Fence height necessary to serve a commercial recreation use may be

permitted by with the approval of a conditional use permit.

F. Swimming Pools. Swimming pool, hot tub, spa, or the entire property on which it is located shall be walled or

fenced to prevent the uncontrolled access by children from the street or from adjacent properties.

A. Retaining Walls. Any embankment to be retained that is over 48 inches in height shall be stepped so that no

individual exposed retaining wall exceeds 36 inches in height, and each intervening step is a minimum width of 36

inches.

1. Retaining Walls in Required Front Setback. Retaining walls not exceeding three (3) feet, six (6) inches in

height, may be permitted in the required front setback provided that the coverage does not exceed Cve (5)

percent of the area of the required front setback. On corner lots, such structures shall not be located within

thirty-Cve (35) feet of the intersected street lines. See Figure 13.3

Figure 13.3 – Stepped Retaining Walls

A. No fence or wall shall in installed or constructed without the approval of a fence permit issued by the

Community Development Department.

B. Any person desiring to install or construct a wall or fence shall Cle an application with the Community

Development Department. The application shall be accompanied by a plot plan drawn to scale, reDecting property

lines, adjacent public streets, rights-of-way, driveways and existing buildings and structures. A dimensional detail

of the proposed fence or wall shall also be provided reDecting the proposed materials and proposed height from

existing and Cnished grade.

C. The Community Development Director shall review the application for a fence permit for compliance with the

provisions of this section and shall approve said application if it is found to be in compliance with these provisions.

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8,

Disclaimer: The city clerk’s oEce has the oEcial version of the Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance. Users

should contact the city clerk’s oEce for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: cityofpetaluma.net

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