San Fernando Municipal Code § 106-374 All zones

The following standards shall apply to all walls and fences city-side.

(1) The height of a wall or fence located along an interior property line shall be measured from the higher natural or established grade of the two abutting properties.

(2) Jacuzzi, spa, swimming pools and other similar outdoor water features shall be fenced in compliance with the Uniform Building Code.

(3) Screening of outdoor uses and equipment shall be provided in compliance with division 6 of this article or as specified in article IV for specific land uses and activities.

(4) Temporary fencing may be approved as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Director.

(5) If a fence or wall obstructs the view of a property address from the street right-of-way, the address numbers shall be located on the fence so that they are clearly visible from the street right-of-way.

(6) Decorative lighting fixtures may exceed the maximum allowed height for walls and fences along a street-facing property line shall reflect light down and away from adjoining properties so that the light emitted does not create a public nuisance or offense, in compliance with other applicable SFMC provisions.

(7) Lighting fixtures may be attached to the side of a fence along an interior property line, provided that they do not project above the top of the fence.

(8) Fences or walls shall not incorporate electrical currents, razor ribbon or wire, barbed wire, concertina ribbon, protruding fragments of broken glass or similar materials shall be permitted.

(9) Chain link is prohibited within any front or side yard area except as part of a temporary construction fence.

(10) The director may administratively approve fences and walls that exceed the maximum heights identified in this section, in compliance with division 9 of article V (modifications, 20 percent or less).

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

The following standards shall apply to all walls and fences within the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones. Height limits for all walls, fences and hedges in residential zones are as follows:

(1) In a required front yard setback or street-facing side yard setback on corner lots, a fence, a combination of a wall and a fence, or a vegetative hedge shall not exceed a maximum height of four feet as measured from existing finish grade.

a. For a combination of a wall and a fence, the wall portion shall not exceed a maximum height of two feet. The portion above the two feet high wall shall be non-view obscuring with 50 percent visibility.

b. Decorative elements, such as pillars, spikes, lights or similar ornamentation may exceed the maximum allowed height for walls and fences.

c. Pedestrian gateways shall have a maximum of seven feet height clearance as measured from grade.

d. Any fence in the front yard setback or street-side yard setback areas shall be non-view obscuring with 50 percent visibility, except side yard fences within the front yard setback area for an interior lot can be view obscuring.

(2) In a side or rear yard, no fence or wall shall exceed a height of six feet as measured from the existing finish grade. Coyote rollers can be installed above the permitted six-foot high wall or fence in a side or rear yard.

(3) In a multiple-family zone, a non-view obscuring fence shall not exceed a height of six feet along the street-facing side yard, outside of the front yard setback, for a corner lot.

(4) For private schools in residential zones, a non-view obscuring tubular steel fence shall not exceed a maximum height of eight feet.

(5) The combined height of the wall retaining a fill and a freestanding fence or wall built above the retained earth level shall not exceed the maximum height allowed for a freestanding fence or wall within the setback area.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

The height limit for non-view obscuring fences in commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zones/properties shall be eight feet. The height limit for view-obscuring fences, walls, or vegetative hedges shall be six feet, except that the director may approve a sound wall to a maximum height of eight feet, if the property is adjacent to a residential use and the director determines that an eight feet high wall is needed. The director may require a noise study to demonstrate a need for a sound wall of eight feet.

(1) All block walls adjacent to a right-of-way (sidewalk, alley, paseo, etc.) shall incorporate architectural details to create an aesthetically pleasing and attractive design including:

a. Pilasters shall be provided at no more than eight feet apart to add depth and visual appeal.

b. Decorative cornices or moldings shall be provided along the top of the wall to create a sense of elegance and architectural character.

c. One or all of the following decorative elements shall be included:

1. Niches and recesses: Incorporate niches or recessed areas into the wall design to create opportunities for displaying artwork, sculptures, or decorative objects. Ensure that the niches are proportionate to the overall scale of the wall and complement the desired aesthetic.

2. Friezes and relief patterns: Install decorative friezes or relief patterns on sections of the wall to add texture and visual interest. These can be crafted from materials like stone, metal, or composite materials, depending on the desired effect.

3. Medallions and ornaments: Attach medallions or decorative ornaments to the wall surface, strategically placing them to create focal points or break up large expanses. Consider motifs that resonate with the architectural style and theme.

4. Decorative tiles or mosaics: Incorporate decorative tiles or mosaic patterns into the wall design. These elements can introduce color, intricate patterns, and artistic expression to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal.

(2) The wall shall be textured, split-faced, stucco, or plastered. Plain concrete masonry unit (CMU) wall is not allowed.

(3) The wall shall be coated with two layers of permanent anti-graffiti coating.

(4) If the wall is higher than six feet, the wall shall comply with the following standards:

a. All design standards in subsection (1), regardless of its adjacency to a right-of-way.

b. A minimum of five-foot wide landscape area with trees, shrubs, and groundcovers shall be provided along the outside of the wall, if adjacent to a right-of-way or open space (sidewalk, alley, paseo, etc.).

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

Construction materials shall conform to the following:

(1) In residential zones, all proposed fence or wall material shall be compatible with the architectural style and treatment of the primary residential structure. All fences and walls shall be made of materials generally used for fencing such as masonry, vegetative hedges, wood, vinyl, brick, ornamental concrete blocks, ornamental tubular steel, or wrought iron, and must have a finished appearance. Acceptable finish treatments include colored stucco, wood stain, natural or polished stone, slump stone, split-faced concrete block, prefabricated finish texture, color-coated tubular steel or wrought iron, or a combination thereof. Plain concrete block masonry shall be permitted only if coated with colored stucco or other coating finish approved by the director or designated staff.

(2) In industrial zones, curved top tubular steel spikes must be at least six feet from grade at the public right-of-way with the spike curving inward away from the property line.

(3) All fences and walls shall be properly maintained in order to preserve their structural integrity and to provide a neat appearance. All solid walls and fences facing the public right-of-way shall be coated with two layers of permanent anti-graffiti coating.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

Sight clearance for visibility of pedestrians and vehicles shall be maintained as follows:

(1) On corner lots in all zones, a sight clearance triangle permitting pedestrian and vehicular visibility at intersecting streets shall be maintained for a minimum distance of 20 feet measured along the street right-of-way from the point of intersection of the two streets. Sight distances at alleys intersecting with streets shall be ten feet.

(2) In all zones, sight clearance for automobiles emerging from adjacent driveways shall be maintained for a minimum distance of 20 feet for commercial and multifamily driveways and ten feet for single-family driveways, measured from the property line. A non-view obscuring fence that does not impede visibility or a vegetative hedge not to exceed 30 inches shall be permitted in this area.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

All persons erecting or substantially altering or repairing a fence, wall or security gate shall first obtain submit an application to the planning division. In addition, any fence, wall or security gate over six feet in height shall or containing masonry components (i.e. walls or pillars) first obtain a building permit. As part of the application process, the applicant shall submit a scaled site plan indicating property lines and the height, location, building materials and finish treatment of the proposed fence, wall, or security gate. Temporary fencing may be approved as deemed necessary and appropriate by the director.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

The building inspector must approve all construction or substantial alteration or repair of fences, walls and security gates requiring a building permit. An initial inspection of the footings or pole holes shall be conducted before the wall, fence, or security gate is erected, and a final inspection shall be conducted upon completion of the construction.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

If hedges, shrubs, and similar vegetation are maintained at the property line and are of sufficient density to block vision, they shall comply with the height limit for fences and walls within the required front, rear, and side yard setbacks, as well as with sight clearance triangle requirements.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

Nothing in this section shall be deemed to set aside or reduce the requirement for fences and walls as required by applicable federal, state, and local statutes designed to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)