Santa Maria Municipal Code Ch. 9-60 Electric Fences

No electric fence shall be installed or used unless a permit has been applied for and obtained from the Community Development Department.

(Ord. 2019-10, eff. 1/1/20)

The construction and use of electric fences shall be allowed in the City only as provided in this Section and subject to the following standards:

(1) IEC Standard 60335-2-76: Unless otherwise specified herein, electric fences shall be constructed or installed in conformance with the specifications set forth in International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard No. 60335-2-76.

(2) Electrification:

(A) The energizer for electric fences must be driven by a commercial storage battery not to exceed 12 volts DC.

(B) The electric charge produced by the fence upon contact shall not exceed energizer characteristics set forth in paragraph 22.108 and depicted in Figure 102 of IEC Standard No. 60335-2-76.

(Ord. 2019-10, eff. 1/1/20)

(1) Perimeter Fence or Wall: No electric fence shall be installed or used unless it is completely surrounded by a non-electrical fence or wall that is not less than six feet high.

(2) Location: Electric fences shall be permitted only in non-residential zones and only in locations approved by the Community Development Department.

(3) Height: Electric fences shall not have a height in excess of 6 feet unless a greater height is approved by the Community Development Department.

(4) Warning signs: Electric fences shall be clearly identified with warning signs prepared in English and Spanish that read: "Warning-Electric Fence" at intervals of not less than sixty feet.

(5) A "Knox Box Electrical Shunt Switch" and a "Knox Box" or other similar approved devices shall be installed for emergency access of Police and Fire Departments.

(Ord. 2019-10, eff. 1/1/20)

All applicants issued permits to install or use an electric fence as provided in this Chapter shall agree, as a condition of permit issuance, to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of Santa Maria and its agents, officers, consultants, independent contractors and employees from any and all claims, actions or proceedings arising out of any personal injury, including death, or property damage caused by the electric fence.

(Ord. 2019-10, eff. 1/1/20)

In the event that access by the City of Santa Maria Fire Department and/or Police Department personnel to a property where a permitted electric fence has been installed and is operating is required due to an emergency or urgent circumstances, and the Knox Box or other similar approved device referred to in Section 9-60.030(5) above is absent or non-functional, and an owner, manager, employee, custodian or any other person with control over the property is not present to disable the electric fence, the fire or police personnel shall be authorized to disable the electric fence in order to gain access to the property. As a condition of permit issuance, all applicants issued permits to install or use an electric fence as provided in this Chapter will agree to waive any and all claims for damages to the electric fence against the City of Santa Maria and/or its personnel under such circumstances.

(Ord. 2019-10, eff. 1/1/20)

It shall be unlawful, and a misdemeanor, for any person to install, maintain or operate an electric fence in violation of this Chapter.

(Ord. 2019-10, eff. 1/1/20)