Chapter 18.34 — Fences, Walls, Hedges, and Screens

Sections

• 18.34.010 – Purpose and Applicability

• 18.34.020 – Permit Requirements and Exemptions

• 18.34.030 – Measurement of Fence, Wall, Hedge, and Screen

• 18.34.040 – Maximum Heights

• 18.34.050 – Additional Requirements by Land Use Type

• 18.34.060 – Materials and Maintenance

• A. Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter to regulate the height and location of fences, walls, hedges, and screens 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.

• B. Applicability. The intent of this Chapter is to provide specific regulations for fences, walls, hedges, and screens as they apply across parcels and to certain land uses.

• A. Site Plan Design Review Required . Unless otherwise exempt below, Architectural Review (Chapter 18.120) is required for new fences, walls, hedges, and screens.

• B. Exemptions for Residential Fences, Walls, and Screens. Any fences, walls, and screens located on R1-6L, R1-8L, and R2 parcels constructed in compliance with the requirements of Section 18.34.030 are exempt from Architectural Review (Chapter 18.120).

Fence, wall, hedge, and screen heights shall be measured as the vertical distance between the finished grade of the ground and the top edge of the fence, wall, or hedge. Adjacent grades shall not be artificially elevated to allow for a fence, wall, hedge, or screen that is higher than the allowable maximum height.).

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• A. Maximum Height Standards. Except as otherwise provided by this Chapter, the maximum height of fences, walls, and screening in yard areas shall be consistent with Table 3-1 (Maximum Height of Fences, Screens, Walls, Hedges and Shrubbery in Setback Areas) and Section 18.30.030 (SightDistance Triangle). For maximum allowable fence height see Figure 3-4 (Allowable Fence Height).

Table 3-1

Figure 3-4 Allowable Fence Height

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• B. Retaining Walls. Retaining walls are limited to three feet in height with a six-foot fence above, and one additional foot of lattice. Properties with a grade differential of greater than four feet, a taller retaining wall is permissible, subject to Director approval. See Figure 3-5 (Retaining Wall Height Measurement).

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Figure 3-5 Retaining Wall Height Measurement

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• A. Screening for Separating Residential and Non-Residential Uses and Parking Lots. Any nonresidential use shall provide screening from adjacent residential uses and parking lots at the property line. The screening required shall be a solid wall or fence, six feet in height, except that any portion situated in the required setback area from adjacent public streets shall be no more than three feet in height.

B. Applicable to All Land Use Types.

1. Swimming Pools, Spas, and Similar Water Features. Swimming pools, spas, and other similar water features shall be enclosed in compliance with Building Code requirements. Required fencing surrounding the immediate swimming pool area shall not exceed the height required by the Building Code.

2. 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 SCCC.

3. Outdoor storage. Outdoor storage shall be screened from public view by a solid wall, fence or other screening as approved by the Review Authority. No outdoor storage shall extend above the height of any screening wall or fence, except as expressly authorized by the Review Authority.

4. Screening of Mechanical Equipment. In order to minimize visibility from adjacent roads and properties, ground-level and rooftop mechanical equipment shall be screened so as to not be

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visible from a public road or a public space. This screening may be provided by a primary structure. Mechanical equipment not screened by a primary structure shall be screened by a visually solid fence, screen wall or panel, parapet wall, or other visually solid screen that shall be constructed of materials compatible with those used in the exterior construction of the primary structure. Notwithstanding the requirements of this Subsection, mechanical equipment located in a manner found to have no adverse visual impact on adjacent roads and properties, as determined by the Director, shall not be required to be screened.

5. Yards on Thoroughfares. Rear yard fencing abutting on any major thoroughfare of four or more motor vehicular traffic lanes may be erected and shall not exceed eight feet in height. Fencing shall be subject to a Architectural Review (Chapter 18.120).

6. Outdoor Recreation Courts. Fencing for outdoor recreation courts (e.g., tennis courts, basketball courts) shall not exceed 12 feet in height. Fencing for outdoor recreation courts shall be located five feet from any rear or side property lines, except when adjacent to outdoor recreation courts on adjacent properties.

• C. Minor Architectural Review. As part of the Minor Architectural Review process, openings or pedestrian connections may be required at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator. In addition, a landscaping strip adjacent to the screening wall (including such trees or plants as the Review Authority requires) with a minimum width of five feet shall be required if the Review Authority deems reasonably necessary to screen the use from the adjoining uses.

• D. Abutting Corner Parcel. The following shall apply to any abutting corner parcel developed such that the front entrance of a single-family or two-family dwelling faces the street side property line (see Figure 3-6 (Fence Height Exception – Abutting Corner Parcel):

  1. No fence greater than three feet in height shall be located closer to the side corner parcel line than the dwelling.

  2. The minimum setback from the front property line for any fence over three feet in height shall be no less than 10 feet.

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Figure 3-6 Fence Height Exception – Abutting Corner Parcel

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• E. Posts, Columns, and Gates. Support posts, columns, or gates shall be allowed within any setback area, provided they do not exceed four feet in height and 18 inches in width, are located 15 feet or more from an intersection and are not located within a driveway visibility clearance area.

• F. Non-Residential Zones Adjoining Residential Zones. Where such zones are adjacent to residential or PD zones parcels, fences shall not exceed six feet in height on common parcel lines; provided, however, that fences on common parcel lines shall not exceed three feet in height in the front or side setback of such adjacent residential or PD zoned parcel.

• G. Commercial Zones. Loading docks shall be screened from public view, adjoining public streets and rights-of-way, and residentially zoned areas by a solid fence or wall at least six feet in height on all common property lines.

H. Mixed-Use Zones.

1. At the time of new construction of a structure on property in this zone, the property owner shall install and provide continual maintenance of a solid masonry wall six feet high on all interior property lines. Fencing in front and street side yards shall not exceed a maximum height of three feet.

2. The Director is granted the authority as an administrative function, to permit a suitable alternative for situations where construction of a masonry fence would not be warranted, such as jointly used driveway, parking or recreation areas, or adjacent minimum 10-foot yards.

I. Industrial and Office Zones.

1. Outdoor storage areas shall be screened from view from the public right-of-way or from adjacent properties accessible to the public and the screening shall be architecturally compatible with the surrounding environment.

2. Security fences and walls. The purpose of security fencing and wall standards is to provide for a safe environment for businesses in industrial and office land use designations. Palisade fencing may be permitted with the approval of the Review Authority.

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• A. Graffiti Resistance. Graffiti-resistant aesthetic surface treatment shall be required for all fences and walls adjacent to a public right-of-way, or as determined though the Architectural Review (Chapter 18.120) process.

B. Fences and wall in Industrial and Office Zones.

1. Storage Area allowable fence and wall material. Within the Industrial-Heavy category, storage area screening may include masonry or concrete, metal, or chain-link fencing with wood or vinyl slats.

2. Security fences and walls. Within all industrial and office zones except Industrial-Heavy, all fencing, or walls shall be wrought iron, concrete, masonry, or other similar materials not to exceed a height of eight feet from the highest finished grade. Chain-link fencing may be used in areas not visible from public rights-of-way.

• C. Maintenance. Fences, walls, and screens shall be continuously maintained in an orderly and good condition and shall always be kept free of graffiti.

• D. Prohibited Fence, Wall, and Screen Materials. The following materials and fence types are prohibited:

  1. Barbed Wire

  2. Razor Wire

  3. Electrified fences, with the exception of monitored perimeter security fence systems, as described in Section E below

  4. Use of grease

  5. Broken glass or other sharp materials

E. Monitored perimeter security fence system.

“Monitored perimeter security fence system” means a perimeter alarm system with an assembly of batterypowered equipment, including but not limited to: a monitored alarm device and energizer which is intended to periodically deliver pulses to a security fence, a battery charging device used exclusively to charge the system’s battery, and other integrated components.

The design, construction, and use of monitored perimeter security fence systems may be permitted subject to the approval of a conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 18.114, subject to the following additional requirements:

1. IEC Standard No. 60335-2-76. Unless otherwise specified herein, monitored perimeter security fence systems shall be constructed and operated in conformance with the specifications set forth in International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard No. 60335-2-76, current edition.

2. Power Source. The energizer for monitored perimeter security fence systems must be driven by a commercial storage battery not to exceed twelve (12) volts DC. The storage battery is charged primarily by a solar panel. The solar panel may be augmented by a commercial trickle charger.

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3. Perimeter Barrier. Monitored perimeter security fence systems shall be installed behind a nonelectrified fence or wall that complies with section 18.34.060 B.

4. Emergency Gate Access. Before a monitored perimeter security fence system is activated, a Knox device shall be approved by the fire department. The Knox device will be installed at the main entry gate and fully functional at all times when the monitored perimeter security fence system is operational.

5. Separation. The perimeter security fence shall be set back four (4) inches to twelve (12) inches from the nonelectrified fence or wall in order to prevent inadvertent access to the monitored perimeter security fence.

6. Design/Height. The monitored perimeter security fence shall be visually transparent and comprised of twelve and one-half (12.5) gauge galvanized steel wires which are run horizontally, up to the maximum height of ten (10) feet.

7. Warning Signs. Monitored perimeter security fence systems shall be clearly identified with bilingual warning signs in compliance with Civil Code § 835(b)(3) that read: “Warning – Electric Fence” at intervals of not more than thirty (30) feet.

8. Location. Monitored perimeter security fence systems shall only be permitted on properties zoned LI Light Industrial and HI Heavy Industrial.

9. Alarm Signal. The monitored perimeter security fence system shall transmit a signal to an alarm monitoring business in response to an intrusion or burglary. The system shall not directly connect to or call law enforcement. The business must first verify the alarm event prior to requesting deployment of law enforcement.”

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