§ 17.68

The following standards are intended to ensure that all fences, walls, and hedges provide the desired privacy, safety, and quality design. The standards are also intended to ensure that fences, walls, and landscape screening do not create a public safety hazard or nuisance. Fences, walls, hedges, shrubs or similar materials used for screening shall be consistent with the following requirements.

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 982, § 3, 9-25-18)

A.

Residential Zones. A fence permit shall be required to install new or replacement fencing or masonry walls in any residential zone. No permit shall be required for the planting of landscape screening.

B.

Nonresidential Zones. An administrative site plan review shall be required to install new or replacement fencing or masonry walls on nonresidential property. No permit shall be required for the planting of landscape screening.

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 982, § 3, 9-25-18)

17.68.030 - Height limitations—Residential development.

A.

Fences and Walls.

1.

In the R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones no fence or wall located in a rear or side yard shall exceed a height of six feet.

2.

In the R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones no fence or wall located in the required front yard shall exceed a height of four feet.

3.

On a reversed corner lot, no fence or wall or located within five feet of the street side or within ten (10) feet of the rear line between the street and the established setback line on the key lot to the rear, shall exceed a height of four feet.

4.

Walls and fences shall be kept in good condition and properly maintained.

B.

Landscape Screening.

1.

Landscape screening in residential rear or side yards shall not be subject to a height limit, except for landscape screening on reversed corner lots. On a reversed corner lot, no hedge or other landscape screening material located within five feet of the street side or within ten (10) feet of the rear line between the street and the established setback line on the key lot to the rear, shall exceed a height of four feet.

2.

Landscape screening located within the required front yard shall not exceed a height of four feet.

3.

Landscape screening shall not encroach onto a curb or sidewalk or over a lot line.

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 982, § 3, 9-25-18)

17.68.040 - Height limitation—Commercial, industrial, residential/commercial mixed-use or commercial/industrial mixed-use development.

A.

A six-foot high solid masonry wall shall be constructed and maintained along any side or rear lot line adjacent to residentially zoned or used property, school or park. The wall shall be not less than three feet but not more than four feet in height where it is adjacent to a required residential front yard setback.

B.

Within the C-1, C-3, C-4, CBD, and CI-MU zones, walls located within ten (10) feet of any public right-ofway shall not exceed a height of three feet.

C.

Within the M-1 zone, a solid wall not less than six feet in height and no more than eight feet in height shall be erected along the property line separating the M-1 zone from any residential zone or use, school, park or commercial zone. However, the wall shall not be more than four feet in height where it adjoins a front yard setback of any residential or commercial property.

D.

Any outdoor area used for storage shall be completely enclosed by a solid, decorative masonry wall and a solid gate not less than six feet in height. The Community Development Director may approve the substitution of a fence or decorative wall where such fence or wall provides adequate visual clearance, is structurally adequate, and is equivalent in decorative appearance. In no event shall the height of such storage exceed the height of the wall or fence enclosing the storage area.

E.

Walls shall have a decorative color and texture consistent with the architectural style and materials of the commercial or industrial development. Architectural and other treatment of the wall is required.

1.

Where new walls are erected in locations visible from a public right-of-way, the use of full dimension caps, pilasters, and changes in wall surfaces (staggering) shall be applied.

2.

In locations where walls might invite vandalism or graffiti, landscaping should be provided along the walls.

F.

Walls and fences shall be kept in good condition and properly maintained.

G.

Landscape screening shall not encroach onto a curb or sidewalk or over a lot line.

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 978, § 5(Exh. A), 2-27-18; Ord. No. 982, § 3, 9-25-18)

A.

Where there is a necessary retaining wall for a lot that is above a sidewalk or at the top of a curb grade, additional wall height up to three feet may be allowed, subject to a Site Plan and Design Review approval. The maximum height for a combination retaining wall and fence shall be seven feet.

B.

The non-retaining portion of the fence or wall combination cannot exceed four feet.

C.

The retaining portion of the fence or wall combination cannot exceed four feet.

D.

Extensions above four feet, as measured from the sidewalk, or top of the curb, shall be constructed of wrought iron or other non-obscuring materials determined to be acceptable, subject to the Site Plan and Design Review application.

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 982, § 3, 9-25-18)

17.68.060 - Fencing for residential or nonresidential sports facilities.

To enclose tennis courts or similar sports areas located within the rear lot, fences over six feet in height shall be permitted, provided that any portion of the fence or structure which is higher than six feet shall be composed of wire mesh or other material whose vertical service is not more than ten (10) percent solid, unless safety necessitates otherwise. Such additional wire mesh or similar material shall be subject to site plan approval.

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 982, § 3, 9-25-18)

17.68.070 - Determining height.

A.

General. The height of fences, walls, and hedges shall be measured as the vertical distance from the ground elevation or finished grade of the property on which the fence or wall is erected to the highest point of the fence or wall. To allow for variation in topography on a parcel, the height of a fence or wall may vary intermittently up to six inches.

B.

Difference in Grade Height Between Two Parcels. Where there is a difference in the ground elevation or finished grade between two adjoining parcels of less than two feet, the height of any fence or wall constructed along the common property line shall be determined by using the finished grade of the highest adjoining parcel. When there is a difference in ground level between two adjoining parcels of two feet or more, the height of the fence shall be determined by the Community Development Director. The Community Development Director shall consider the physical and visual height impact on abutting parcels.

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 982, § 3, 9-25-18)

A.

Residential Zones. The following fencing materials shall be prohibited in all residential zones: barbed or razor wire, electrified wire, chicken wire and similar small-gauge wire or mess product, chain-link fencing, or other materials hazardous to wildlife.

1.

Exceptions. Chain-link fencing shall be a permitted fencing material for:

a.

The screening of side yard areas that are not visible from the public right-of-way and rear yard areas; and

b.

The temporary screening of lots under construction or being demolished in accordance with Section 17.68.100.

2.

All chain-link fences in existence at the time of the adoption of this part shall be deemed legal nonconforming as set forth in Chapter 17.72 and the properties on which they have been placed shall be permitted to undertake maintenance, repair, and replacement consistent with the requirements of that chapter.

B.

Commercial, Industrial, Residential/Commercial Mixed-Use Zones, Commercial/Industrial Mixed-Use. The following fencing materials are prohibited in all commercial, industrial, residential/commercial, and commercial/industrial zones: barbed or razor wire, electrified wire, chicken wire and similar small gauge wire or mesh product, plastic, and chain-link fencing, or other materials hazardous to wildlife.

1.

Exceptions. Chain-link fencing shall be a permitted fencing material for:

a.

The screening of side yard areas that are not visible from the public right-of-way and rear yard areas;

b.

The temporary screening of lots under construction or being demolished in accordance with Section 17.68.100; and

c.

To enclose an area where a solid wall or fence would create a physical hazard (i.e., the containment of mechanical equipment under an electrical transmission right-of-way). The use of chain-link fencing in this circumstance is subject to the review and approval of the Community Development Director.

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 982, § 3, 9-25-18)

17.68.090 - Fencing of hazardous areas.

A fence or wall six feet or greater in height may be required along the perimeter of all areas which, by reasons of conditions of the property or physical hazards, such as frequent flooding, erosion, excavation, or grade separation, are considered by the Community Development Director to be dangerous to the public health and safety.

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 982, § 3, 9-25-18)

17.68.100 - Fences on lots that are under construction, or being demolished.

For the purposes of this subsection, "under construction" and "demolish" shall be defined pursuant to the Los Angeles County Building Code as adopted by the City.

A.

All property that is under construction, or being demolished shall be totally enclosed around the perimeter by a fence that is a minimum of six feet in height as measured from adjacent property, subject to the approval of the Community Development Director or other designated officials.

B.

The required fence shall be adequately constructed from chain link, lumber, masonry or other approved materials. The fence shall be entirely self-supporting and shall not encroach or utilize structures or fencing on any adjacent property without prior written approval of the adjacent owner.

C.

The fence shall be installed prior to the initiation of any construction or demolition and shall be continuously maintained in good condition.

D.

Signs stating "PRIVATE PROPERTY, NO TRESPASSING" shall be posted on the fence.

E.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to a fence or wall as required by any law or regulation of the state of California or any agency thereof.

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 982, § 3, 9-25-18)

17.68.110 - Requirement for construction of a six-foot high masonry wall.

The City Council finds that there are areas within the City where commercial zones abut residential zones and the construction of a block wall is necessary to protect such residential areas.

Any owner, lessee, occupant or agent constructing or causing the construction of any building, building addition, accessory building, or repairs estimated by the Building Department to have a value of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) or more upon any commercially used and zoned lot adjacent to property zoned and used for residential purposes shall construct a six-foot high masonry wall along the property line where the commercially zoned lot has a common or rear lot line with a residentially zoned property.

Any person desiring to obtain a modification from the provisions of this section may file with the Planning Commission a written application, citing the reasons for such request. The Planning Commission shall give the applicant for such modification an opportunity to be heard if he or she so desires, and thereafter may grant or deny the application for the modification, or may grant the same upon such conditions as the Planning Commission deems necessary for the preservation of the safety, health or property of the general public.

Any interested person may appeal the decision of the Planning Commission to the City Council by filing an appeal pursuant to Chapter 17.160 (Appeals and Requests for Review) of this Code.

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 982, § 3, 9-25-18)

Chapter 17.72 - NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES, LOTS AND PARKING FACILITIES[[5]]

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 951, § 6 adopted August 11, 2015 amended chapter 17.72, §§ 17.72.010— 17.72.100 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former chapter 17.72, §§ 17.72.010—17.72.100 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13.