Chapter 10.34

FENCES, WALLS, AND HEDGES

SECTION:

A. Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to define and provide standards for the location, composition, and height of fences, walls, and hedges. No provision of this Chapter is intended to supersede or be in conflict with any Federal, State, or local regulation or statute relating to security fencing, or any safety requirements of the board of education. The following shall be in addition to the regulations of each zoning district.

• B. Applicability. The standards established in this Chapter shall apply to:

1. New fences, walls, or hedges;

2. New development;

3. Building additions to existing structures that expand the existing floor area by at least twenty percent (20%), or two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet, whichever is less, not including single-unit dwellings or duplexes. The addition and/or expansion shall be cumulative from the date of adoption of this Title;

4. The demolition and reconstruction of a parcel; and

5. A request for a Conditional Use Permit. (Ord. 2024-001, 9-10-2024)

The height of a fence, wall, or hedge shall be measured from the average ground level to the highest point of the fence, hedge, or wall, excluding the post or column. Whenever there is a grade separation at the fence/property line between two (2) or more abutting properties, the height shall be measured from the highest average grade to the highest point of the fence, hedge, or wall, excluding the post or column. See Figure 10.34-1 (Fence, Wall, and Hedge Height Measurement).

Figure 10.34-1

Fence, Wall, and Hedge Height Measurement

==> picture [297 x 171] intentionally omitted <==

(Ord. 2024-001, 9-10-2024)

A. Increased Fence, Wall, and Hedge Height. Notwithstanding other provisions of this Title, the Community Development Director may approve an increased height of any required fence, wall, or hedge to a maximum of twelve feet (12') if there is a grade separation at the fence/property line between two (2) or more abutting properties that is greater than three feet (3').

B. Residential Zone Height Limitations. The following fence, wall, and hedge height limitation standards shall apply to all parcels within a residential zoning district.

1. Front Setbacks. The height of fences, walls, and hedges in the front setback shall comply with the following:

a. Maximum Height in Front Setback. No fence, wall, or hedge over three feet (3') in height shall be allowed in any required front setback area or within the excepted corner cutoff area.

b. Alternative Fencing. Alternatively, a wrought iron or tubular steel type fence, where at least ninety percent (90%) of the fence shall be open for the passage of light and air, may be constructed to a maximum height of four feet (4') in the front

setback area and in the defined corner cutoff area.

c. Exception. For parcels where the front setback abuts a reverse corner parcel, the fence, wall, or hedge can exceed three feet (3') in height subject to review and approval by the Director.

2. Rear and Side Setbacks. Fences, walls, and hedges, not greater than seven feet (7') in height, shall be allowed on all rear and side property lines, and on or to the rear of all front setback lines, unless otherwise stated below.

3. Corner Cutoff Area. Fences, walls, and hedges shall comply with the following corner cutoff area standards:

4. No fence, wall, or hedge over three feet (3') in height shall be allowed within any defined corner cutoff area.

5. No fence, wall, or hedge over three feet (3') in height shall be allowed within the street side setback of a reverse corner parcel. The fence, wall, or hedge can exceed three feet in height subject to review and approval by the Director.

6. Alternative Fencing. Alternatively, a wrought iron or tubular steel type fence, where at least ninety percent (90%) of the fence shall be open for the passage of light and air, may be constructed in the defined corner cutoff area.

C. Commercial Zone Height Limitations. The following fence, wall, and hedge height limitation standards shall apply to all parcels within a commercial and/or office zoning district.

1. Request for Modification to Standards. Upon approval by the Community Development Director, a fence or wall up to twelve feet (12') in height may be allowed.

2. Where a parcel adjoins or is located across a street or alley from an RCO, UR, R, RE, RM, or PO district, a decorative-style solid wall or fence seven feet (7') minimum in height, or other height or type of screening device as may be required by the Community Development Department, shall be located on the property line common to such districts

3. Properties Along Reedley Parkway. Where a parcel adjoins or is located across the Reedley Parkway, the following height standards shall apply:

a. Fencing along a property line shared with the Reedley Parkway is not required to be a solid wall or fence seven feet (7') minimum in height if the proposed land use is complementary to the Reedley Parkway and provides a connection to the Reedley Parkway.

b. Fencing along a property line shared with the Reedley Parkway may be open fencing less than seven feet in height.

c. Fencing shall comply with Section 10.34.040 (Fence Materials).

d. Allowed use or conditional use of open storage of materials and equipment shall be allowed only within an area surrounded or screened by a decorative-style solid wall or fence seven feet (7') minimum in height with a maximum height of ten feet (10').

4. Corner Cutoff Area. Fences, walls, and hedges erected on a parcel within a commercial zoning district shall comply with all corner cutoff area standards established in Section 10.30.060 (Corner Cutoff Area).

D. Industrial Zone Height Limitations. The following fence, wall, and hedge height limitation standards shall apply to all parcels within an industrial zoning district.

1. Where a parcel adjoins an RCO, UR, RE, R, RM, PO, or CC zone district, a solid decorative-style wall or fence seven feet (7') in height or such other height or type of screening device as may be required by the Community Development Department, shall be located on the property line common to such districts, except in a required front setback or if a parcel adjoins the Reedley Parkway.

2. Industrial Zoned Properties Along Reedley Parkway. For parcels adjoining the Reedley Parkway, please see Paragraph 10.34.030 C.3 (Properties Along Reedley Parkway).

3. A use not conducted entirely within a completely enclosed structure, on a parcel across a street or an alley from an RCO, UR, RE, R, RM, CC, or CN zoning district shall be screened by a decorative-style solid wall or screen fence, not less than seven feet (7') in height. The Community Development Director may approve a wall or fence up to fourteen feet (14') in height.

4. In an ML zoning district, open storage of materials and equipment shall be allowed only within an area surrounded and screened by a decorative-style solid wall or compact evergreen hedge (with solid gates where necessary), not less than seven feet (7') in height.

5. Corner Cutoff Area. Fences, walls, and hedges erected on a parcel within an industrial zoning district shall not comply with all corner cutoff area standards established in Section 10.30.060 (Corner Cutoff Area).

6. No fence or wall shall exceed twelve feet (12') in height if located in a required front, side, or rear yard setback.

E. Game and Recreational Use Fencing. Fences or structures over six feet (6') in height, to enclose tennis courts, or other game areas shall be composed of wire mesh or chain link fencing. (Ord. 2024-001, 9-10-2024)

10.34.040: FENCE MATERIALS:

A. General. A fence may be made of a variety of materials including wire mesh, steel mesh, chain-link, iron, masonry, louvered glass, wood slat, or stake and other similar materials, and constructed with or without openings (i.e., open framework such as wrought iron or a solid fence such as cedar or redwood planks).

B. Allowable Materials. The following materials shall be allowed in all districts, except when a zoning district has a more restrictive list of allowed materials. See Subsection 10.34.040 .C (Prohibited Materials in Residential Zone Districts):

1. Materials specifically allowed elsewhere in this Chapter;

2. Wood pickets;

3. Split rail wood;

4. Wrought iron and tubular steel;

5. Brick and stone;

6. Stucco;

7. Synthetic materials in compliance with Subsection 10.34.040.F (Synthetic Materials), below.

8. Shade cloth when used in combination with allowed fencing such as chain link, wrought iron, or tubular steel, provided it consists of materials specifically manufactured for such a purpose; and

9. Privacy slats when in combination with chain link fencing (when chain link is allowed) provided it consists of materials specifically manufactured for such a purpose.

C. Prohibited Materials in Residential Zone Districts. Chain link fencing shall not be allowed to be used as a fence material in any residential zone district.

• D. Prohibited Materials. The following materials shall not be allowed to be used as a fence material in any district:

1. Plywood, oriented strand board, pressboard, and similar wood products;

2. Chicken wire or similar wire products;

3. Corrugated metal or corrugated plastic;

4. Piping (including metal, PVC, and other materials);

5. Improvised materials, including but not limited to wood scraps, doors, garage doors, refrigerator doors, and mattresses;

6. Improvised screening materials, including but not limited to blankets and tarps; and

7. Any material not listed unless approved by the Director.

E. Retaining Walls. Retaining walls shall be designed consistent with the architectural style of the primary structure. Retaining walls shall consist only of concrete, masonry, stone, brick, or timber. Timber may be allowed only if not in conflict with the Building Code and applicable City standards.

F. Veneer and Synthetic Materials. Veneer or synthetic materials simulating the actual, natural material (i.e.., brick or stone veneer in place of actual brick or stone) shall only be allowed upon demonstrating to the Community Development Director that the substitute material complies with the following:

1. Simulates the natural material; and

2. Is organized visually to simulate actual construction using natural material (i.e., organization of brick in offsetting rows or placing larger stones at the bottom and smaller stones toward the top). (Ord. 2024-001, 9-10-2024)

Solid masonry walls shall be required to be constructed in order to mitigate noise generated by vehicular traffic. The fence or wall may be constructed on property lines abutting collector streets, arterial streets, expressways, highways, and freeways. The height of such wall shall be determined by the Community Development Director in relation to the noise, danger, or hazard involved. Said fence or wall may be required when a use requires a permit according to the noise, danger, or hazard involved. (Ord. 2024-001, 9-10-2024)

Temporary fencing, including construction fencing, may be approved as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Community Development Director in compliance with the allowable materials listed in Section 10.34.040.B (Allowed Materials). (Ord. 2024-001, 9-10-2024)

Fencing for swimming pools, spas, and other water features shall comply with the fencing requirements established in the California Building Code. (Ord. 2024-001, 9-10-2024)