Sec. 26-74. - Purpose and applicability.

(a)

The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards and regulations relating to the construction of fences, walls and hedges used for screening or buffering purposes. The standards are intended to ensure that all fences, walls, and hedges provide desired privacy and safety but do not create a public safety hazard or nuisance, and that fences, walls and hedges meet the City's standards for quality design and regular maintenance.

(b)

For planned development permits and specific plans, fence, wall, and hedge standards shall comply with the standards set forth in the applicable planned development permit or Specific Plan. Where the Planned Development Permit or Specific Plan is silent on fence, walls and hedge height, the standards for the underlying zone shall apply, as determined by the Community Development Director, or their designee.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)

Sec. 26-75. - Measurement of fence or wall height.

(a)

Measurement of height.

(1)

The height of a fence or wall is measured as the vertical distance between the top of finished grade at the base of the fence or wall to the top of the fence or wall.

(2)

For fences or walls on sloping ground or varying grades, height shall be measured from the lowest grade on either side of the fence or wall to the highest point of the fence or wall. For the purposes of this section a retaining wall with a fence above it shall be considered one (1) structure.

(3)

Fence or wall height includes any materials attached to the fence or wall.

Figure 3-5 Measuring Fence or Wall Height

==> picture [324 x 278] intentionally omitted <==

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)

Sec. 26-76. - Height limitations for freestanding fence, walls and hedges.

(a)

Street-fronting fences and walls. The maximum allowed height for freestanding fences and walls within the required front setback, or the street side yard, or the rear yard of a through lot with street driveway/garage access shall comply with the following standards:

(1)

Fences and fence/wall combinations shall not exceed a maximum height of six (6) feet. The fence and/or fence/wall combination shall be of a design that creates at least seventy (70) percent open work above forty-two inches (42") in height. Pilasters and/or columns no greater than eighteen inches (18") in width may be incorporated with the design of the fence or wall if the required visibility is met. Street-fronting fences on street side yards of lots not considered a reverse corner lot and on rear yards of through lots may construct a solid, non-transparent fence/wall provided that no neighboring adjacent single-family residential lot is developed with a primary residence with its front facade oriented towards the same street.

(2)

Corner cut back area. On corner lots, walls, fences, hedges, trees, or other physical obstructions shall not exceed a maximum height of thirty-six inches (36") within the sight triangle areas set forth in section 26-67.

(3)

Fences and walls adjacent to arterial streets. Walls and fences on single-family residential lots along the side and rear property lines adjacent to rights-of-way of streets designated as principal or minor arterials on the master plan of streets and highways shall have a maximum height of eight (8) feet provided that design standards contained within subsection (a)(1) is complied with.

(4)

On single-family residential zones, light fixtures may be added on the top of the street-fronting fencing or its pillar, provided the overall height of the fence or pillar and light does not exceed a height of six feet, six inches (6'-6"). The intensity of the lights shall be limited to low level lighting of less than one thousand six hundred (1,600) lumens.

(5)

Fences atop retaining walls, shall conform to the limits set forth in section 26-77.

(b)

Side and rear yard fences and walls. The maximum allowed height for freestanding fences and walls (nonretaining) within the required side and rear yard setbacks shall comply with the following standards:

(1)

Street fronting side yard and rear yard fences shall conform to the height limits set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

(2)

A freestanding fence or wall between single-family residential properties shall not exceed seven (7) feet in height.

(3)

A freestanding fence or wall between multi-family residential properties or along a major arterial street shall not exceed seven (7) feet in height.

(4)

A freestanding fence or wall between a residential and commercial property shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.

(5)

A maximum of eight (8) foot freestanding fence or wall between a residential and commercial property or between two commercial properties.

(6)

On commercially zoned properties, a free-standing fence or wall shall not exceed a maximum of eight (8) feet in height.

(7)

Freestanding fences or walls located at intersections of streets, alleyways and driveways within traffic sight areas shall conform to standards set forth in section 26-67(e).

(8)

Fences atop retaining walls, shall conform to the limits set forth in section 26-77.

(c)

Hedges. No maximum height shall be established for hedges, except for hedges located within the required front yard which shall conform to the standards for fences and walls, and for the sight triangle area standards set forth in section 26-67(e).

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)

Sec. 26-77. - Height limitations for retaining walls and change of grade.

(a)

Interior facing retaining walls or garden walls where the retaining wall faces inward to the subject property and are negligibly visible from surrounding properties or the public right-of-way, and located within the required setbacks, the retaining wall may reach a maximum height of seven (7) feet. The total height of an interior facing retaining wall and a free-standing fence or wall atop it shall not exceed the following height limitations:

(1)

Within the front setback. Twelve (12) feet provided that the design of the freestanding fence/wall complies with section 26-76(a)(1), or fourteen (14) for properties that qualify under section 26-76(a)(3).

(2)

Side and rear yard. Thirteen (13) feet, or fourteen (14) feet for properties that qualify under section 26- 76(b) (4) through (6).

(b)

Exterior facing retaining walls or garden walls. Where the retaining wall faces outward towards a public street or facing a neighboring property and is, located within the required setbacks, the retaining wall may reach a maximum height of three (3) feet, The total height of an exterior facing wall and free-standing fence or wall atop it shall not exceed the following height limitations:

(1)

Within the front setback. Nine (9) feet provided that the design of the freestanding fence/wall complies with section 26-77(a)(1)

(2)

Side and rear yard. Ten (10) feet, or eleven (11) feet for properties that qualify under section 26-76(b)(4) through (6)

(c)

Interior and exterior facing retaining walls or garden walls which complies with the required building setbacks of the zoning district shall not exceed a maximum height of fifteen (15) feet.

(d)

Parallel retaining walls and landscaping terracing. Any retaining wall constructed in combination with other retaining walls, screen walls and/or fences on the same property may be terraced with a gradient up to 1:1 to obtain approval of an aggregate height of retaining walls exceeding the single-wall limit set forth in this section. The distance between walls shall be no less than the height of the tallest wall.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)

Sec. 26-78. - Fence materials.

(a)

Prohibited fence materials.

(1)

Residential zoning districts. Barbed wire, electrical fences, razor wire, and other similar objects on the top of fences or walls shall not be allowed within a residential zoning district. The use of chain link fence is prohibited in residential districts within any front yard area or any area visible from the public street, except for construction sites and other temporary uses and where otherwise specifically permitted in this Development Code.

(2)

Commercial and industrial zoning districts. Barbed wire, electrical razor wire, and other similar objects shall not be allowed on the top of fences or walls within a commercial zoning district, except on the top of fences or walls surrounding outdoor storage areas.

(b)

Special fencing and wall requirements.

(1)

Swimming pools, spas and similar features. Swimming pools, spas, and other similar features shall be fenced in compliance with the requirements set forth by the City's Building Code.

(2)

Outdoor equipment, storage, and work areas. Screening of outdoor use, equipment and activities shall conform to the standards set forth in division 4 (screening and buffering).

(3)

Recreational courts. Fences for recreational courts including basketball, tennis, badminton courts and similar play areas shall not exceed twelve (12) feet in height providing that all parts of the fencing are not located within the minimum required setback areas.

(4)

Temporary fences. Temporary fencing may be necessary for the protection of archaeological, historic resources and/or trees during site preparation and construction. Temporary fencing for these purposes shall be subject to the approval of the Community Development Director or their designee, and shall comply with applicable building codes.

(5)

Walls along public rights-of-way. Masonry, concrete block and wood perimeter walls that adjoin public rights-of-way and are constructed as part of a subdivision or other planned development shall be maintained in original condition, including the color and texture of the block and any cap elements. Fences/walls along the public right-of-way shall be either finished on both sides, finished on the side facing the public right-of-way, or made of decorative block.

(6)

Fences and walls exceeding six (6) feet in height in between properties. Fences/walls exceeding six (6) feet in height located within five (5) feet from the property line shall be either finished on both sides, finished on the side facing the neighboring property, or made of decorative block.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)

Sec. 26-79. - Required walls.

(a)

Walls in multi-family residential zones.

(1)

A thirty-six (36) inch high concrete, masonry, or decorative block wall shall be provided and maintained on the outside perimeter of all off-street parking areas abutting or visible from a public street, except at points of ingress and egress for vehicular or pedestrian traffic. The wall shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from the property line and this setback area shall be landscaped. Other materials may be used if approved by the Planning Commission.

(2)

In lieu of the thirty-six (36) inch high screen wall, land contouring and landscaping equivalent to thirty-six (36) inches in height, or a combination of wall and land contouring, may be provided.

(b)

A seven-foot wall when abutting single-family zone:

(1)

A seven (7) foot high concrete, masonry or decorative block wall shall be provided and maintained on the boundary of any multiple-family zone which abuts or lies across a public alley from a residential-agricultural (R-A) or single-family (R-1) zone, except in the front setback area, where said wall shall conform to the sight triangle area standards set forth in section 26-67(e).

(2)

When there is a difference in site elevation and the abutting property zoned R-A or R-1 is a minimum of seven (7) feet higher than the development site zoned multiple-family, at the discretion of the Planning Commission, the requirements for a seven (7) foot high wall may be waived.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)

DIVISION 4. - SCREENING AND BUFFERING