Chapter 17.42 — FENCES, WALLS AND SCREENING

The purpose of this chapter to regulate the height and location of fences to provide light, air, and privacy without obstructing views, to establish buffers between different land uses, and to safeguard against visual obstructions at the intersections of streets and/or driveways. (Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)

Unless otherwise exempt below, administrative design review is required for new fences and walls. Fences and walls listed below are exempt from planning entitlements, but may still require building permits.

A. Retaining Walls. Retaining walls less than thirty-six (36) inches in height are exempt from the requirements of this chapter.

B. Residential Fences and Walls. Fences and walls located on residential property constructed in compliance with the requirements Section 17.42.030 (Location and Height Restrictions).

C. Required Fences and Walls. The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to a fence or wall required by any law or regulation of the city (including temporary construction site fencing), state, federal government, or any agency thereof (including the Board of Education).

(Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)

A. Maximum Allowed Heights and Locations. Each fence and wall shall comply with height limits and locations shown in Table 17.42.030-1 (Maximum Height of Fences and Walls in Required Yard Area) and Figure 17.42.030-1 (Maximum Height of Fences and Walls in Required Yard Area).

TABLE 17.42.030-1

MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF FENCES AND WALLS IN REQUIRED YARD AREA

[(1) As part of Administrative Design Review or other discretionary entitlement, the designated approving authority may grant additional] height or location requirements to enclose or screen specific areas or uses or for fences and walls designed for noise attenuation.

[(2) Height of front yard fence or wall may be increased to a maximum of five (5) feet if set back at least ten (10) feet behind the front] property line or sidewalk if the fence or wall remains visually open and transparent (e.g., picket fence, open wood slats, open wrought iron).

[(3) Within the required clear vision triangle at the intersections of streets, alleys and driveways, the maximum fence and wall height shall] be reduced to a maximum height of thirty (30) inches. See definition of clear vision triangle in Section 17.98.020 (General Definitions).

FIGURE 17.42.030-1

MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF FENCES AND WALLS IN REQUIRED YARD AREAS

B. Height Measurement. Fence and wall height shall be measured from the finish grade at the base of the fence or wall to the uppermost part of the fence or wall; except when there is a difference in the ground level between two (2) adjoining parcels of two (2) feet or more, the

fence or wall shall be measured on the side with the highest finish grade. See Figure 17.42.030-2 (Measurement of Fence and Wall Height on Parcels with Different Elevations). FIGURE 17.42.030-2

MEASUREMENT OF FENCE AND WALL HEIGHT ON PARCELS WITH DIFFERENT ELEVATIONS

(Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)

A. Open View Fencing. Where fencing is proposed along public frontages of non-residential and multi-family projects, such fencing shall be open view unless otherwise required to be solid for noise attenuation. Open view fencing shall also be required when located adjacent to open space areas. However, open view fencing for side yards of corner lots abutting open space areas may be designed with solid fencing and walls.

B. Fencing, Wall and Screen Materials. Fences, walls and screens shall be constructed of attractive, long-lasting materials (e.g., masonry, wood, tubular steel, or stone). Unless approved as a condition of approval or in conjunction with another entitlement, fences, walls and screens of sheet or corrugated iron, fiberglass, sheet steel, concertina wire, or sheer aluminum are prohibited. Barbed wire fencing shall not be constructed or placed on top of a fence, wall or screen except where properly used for agricultural, open space, or certain industrial uses. C. Graffiti-Resistance. Graffiti-resistant aesthetic surface treatment shall be required for all fences and walls adjacent to a public right-ofway, in a residential zone, or as determined though the administrative design review process.

D. Maintenance. Fences, walls and screens shall be continuously maintained in an orderly and good condition, at no more than their maximum allowed height. (Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)

A. Outdoor Storage and Accessory Structures. Related requirements for outdoor storage and accessory structures shall be references in Chapters 17.30 (Accessory Structures) and 17.68 (Outdoor Sales, Display, Storage, and Seating) respectively.

B. Screening of Outdoor Storage in Commercial, Office, and Mixed-Use Zoning Districts. Outdoor storage (including all dumpsters, commercial items, commercial construction, or industrial-related materials and equipment within commercial zoning districts) shall be fenced or screened from view. Such screening shall utilize enclosures including, but not limited to, fences, walls, landscaping, or earthen berms, so that no outdoor storage is visible from any public rights-of-way, parks, public trails, and adjacent properties. Screening shall be visually compatible with the primary buildings and landscape on the property.

C. Fencing for Company Vehicles in Industrial Zoning Districts. In industrial zoning districts, company vehicles of less than one (1) ton do not require screening and may be parked behind the required landscape area with or without security fencing. Company vehicles exceeding one (1) ton that are permitted on the public highways and used in the daily operation of the company may be parked within the buildable portion of the lot without screen fencing. All company vehicles that exceed one (1) ton and are not permitted on the public highways shall be fenced or screened from view in a manner that is attractive and complementary to the structure it serves and architecturally compatible with other on-site development.

D. Fencing and Walls for Agricultural Land Uses. All fences or walls which enclose livestock shall be constructed of an adequate height and shall be designed so as to control and contain such livestock at all times.

E. Fencing and Walls for Pools, Spas, and Similar Features. Swimming pools, spas, and other similar water features shall be enclosed in compliance with city-adopted Building Code requirements.

F. Fences, Walls and Screening between Different Land Uses. Commercial and industrial uses shall be screened from adjacent residential zoning districts by plant materials and a solid, decorative masonry wall with a minimum height of six (6) feet to screen the commercial use, as approved by the approving authority. Openings or pedestrian connections may be required at the discretion of the approving authority. A landscaping strip with a minimum width of five (5) feet shall be installed adjacent to a screening wall on the commercial or industrial side. G. Screening of Commercial Loading Docks and Refuse Areas. Loading docks and refuse storage areas shall be screened from public view, adjoining public streets and rights-of-way, and residentially zoned areas. The method of screening shall be architecturally compatible with other on-site development in terms of colors and materials. Exceptions may be permitted through the administrative design review process for sites with unique characteristics (e.g., shallow lot depth, adjacency to single-family residential).

from public view, adjoining public streets and rights-of-way, and residentially zoned areas. The method of screening shall be architecturally compatible with other on-site development in terms of colors and materials. Exceptions may be permitted through the administrative design review process for sites with unique characteristics (e.g., shallow lot depth, adjacency to single-family residential).

H. Temporary Fences. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prohibit the erection of a temporary fence around construction projects in compliance with the Building Code and other applicable requirements of the City Municipal Code. (Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)