Suisun City Municipal Code § 18.34.010 Fence and walls by zoning district

A. The height of side and rear yard fences, hedges, or walls behind the front setback line in any residential district shall not exceed six feet.

B. Fence and wall height by zoning district are shown in Table 18.34.01.

Table 18.34.01 Height Limits by Zoning District

(Ord. No. 743, § 3, 3-21-2017; Ord. No. 805, § 1, 10-3-2023)

Outdoor storage yards, corporation yards or light industrial uses may be enclosed by a fence or walls not to exceed eight feet in height. The fence shall be of solid construction to adequately screen the enclosed area from view.

(Ord. No. 743, § 3, 3-21-2017)

Outdoor sales, storage, and rental lots shall show that adequate measures and controls will be taken to prevent offensive lights, noise, odors, and dust and shall have a minimum six-foot-high solid-board fence, or equal, separating the lot from abutting residential uses. Where these activities are approved subject to a conditional use permit, the development services director or planning commission may require additional screening as deemed to be appropriate.

(Ord. No. 743, § 3, 3-21-2017)

A. Fence and wall height shall be measured from the ground level beneath the fence or wall to the top of the fence or wall.

B. Where fences are installed on sloping property, the height of the fence can be measured from the ground level on the uphill slope or the highest parcel to the top of the fence, as shown in Figure 18.34.01.

C. Where a fence or wall rests on a retaining wall, the overall combined height may not exceed ten feet, as measured from the ground level at the bottom of the retaining wall to the top of the fence or wall, as shown in Figure 18.34.01.

[Figure: Figure 18.34.01]

Figure 18.34.01

(Ord. No. 743, § 3, 3-21-2017)

[Figure]

A. Fences and Walls within Publicly Accessible Areas. Fencing around multi-family development is intended to protect the safety of children and serve as a visual enhancement, not to screen units, which must remain visible from publicly accessible areas. Fencing for single-family rear yards adjacent to publicly accessible areas or open space, must consist of perimeter fencing that is a minimum 50 percent open. Where fences and walls are not adjacent to publicly accessible areas such as, residential dwellings adjacent to uses in the CSF zone, fencing may be solid.

B. Swimming Pool Enclosure. Swimming pools in multi-family developments must be enclosed by a fence or wall that is a minimum six feet high to protect children.

C. Recreational court fencing, such as tennis and basketball courts, must be constructed to conform to relevant American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.

D. Chain-link fences are not permitted in front, side, and rear yard residential districts.

E. Chain-link fences are permitted on vacant commercial district properties. The following development criteria shall be met:

1. Fences shall be placed on the perimeter of the property.

2. Fences shall not exceed six feet in height.

3. If property is subdivided and a remainder portion of the property remains vacant, a chain-link fence is permitted.

F. Chain-link fences are permitted on vacant commercial/mixed use waterfront district specific plan properties. The following development criteria shall be met:

1. Fences shall be placed on the perimeter of the property.

2. Fences shall not exceed six feet in height.

3. A green color mesh shall be attached to the fence and placed around the entire perimeter of the property.

(Ord. No. 743, § 3, 3-21-2017; Ord. No. 805, § 1, 10-3-2023)

[Figure]

The use of soundwalls is discouraged in the city to promote continuous circulation patterns and enhanced visual accessibility. However, where soundwalls are required, they must conform to the following standards:

A. Soundwalls must be constructed of fire-resistant materials, such as masonry, precast concrete, brick, or a similar material, and treated with a graffiti-resistant coating.

B. Soundwalls must incorporate breaks at streets, trails, live-end cul-de-sacs, and at pedestrian access routes to schools, parks, and commercial districts. Where such pedestrian connections do not exist, soundwalls must include breaks at a minimum of every 500 feet.

C. Soundwalls should include decorative elements, such as pilasters, posts and capitals, stamped designs, and/or landscape screening to improve their appearance from the street.

(Ord. No. 743, § 3, 3-21-2017)

It is unlawful to erect any electrically charged fence or any fence composed of barbed wire, razor wire or other material which is designed to cause injury upon contact on or adjacent to any residential use regardless of the underlying zoning.

(Ord. No. 743, § 3, 3-21-2017; Ord. No. 805, § 1, 10-3-2023)