Fences and walls in Sacramento

17.620.110 Regulations for residential development. The regulations in this section apply to walls and fences for single-unit, duplex, and multi-unit dwelling developments. A. Front yards and street side yards. Walls or fences not exceeding 4 feet in height may be placed along the front and street side property lines or within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas, subject to the following exceptions. 1. Exception-Welded-metal fences. A decorative, open wrought-iron or tubular-steel fence not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed along the front and street side property lines or within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas. a. This exception does not authorize solid walls or fences composed of chain link, woven wire, wood, or materials other than open wrought iron or tubular steel. b. A post or pilaster, consisting of masonry, brick, or other solid material, not exceeding 18 inches square and 6 feet tall, may be used to support a wrought iron or tubular steel fence at a minimum distance between posts of 6 feet. 2. Exception-Chain link and woven-wire fences. Chain link and woven-wire fences are prohibited within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas. 3. Exception-Street side-yard setback area. a. Fence location. A fence or wall not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed within the street side-yard setback area if it is either located at least five feet from the street side property line or is placed on a line parallel to the street and that represents the extension of the wall of the main building that is nearest to the street. b. Landscaping requirement. Climbing vines, shrubs, or trees shall be planted along the base of that portion of the wall or fence that fronts a public street. The remaining setback area between the wall or fence and property line shall be landscaped with grass or other low groundcover. All plants shall be properly irrigated and maintained. Only living vegetation may be used to meet the landscaping requirements. 4. Exception-Gate feature. A decorative gateway feature is permitted if the feature has a maximum height of 10 feet, a maximum length of 8 feet, and a maximum width of 24 inches. B. Rear yard and interior side yard. 1. Except as provided in subparagraphs a and b below, a wall or fence not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed along the rear or interior side property lines or within the rear or interior side yard setback area. a. A wall or fence not exceeding 8 feet in height may be placed along a rear or interior side property line that abuts a school, park, alley, or other nonresidential use. b. A development abutting a freeway or railroad may construct a solid wall up to 12 feet in height for purposes of sound attenuation. The wall shall comply with the development standards for sound walls in article III. 2. A decorative gateway feature is permitted as long as the feature has a maximum height of 10 feet, a maximum length of 8 feet, and a maximum width of 24 inches. 3. Fences exceeding 6 feet in height are allowed outside the required rear-yard and interior side-yard setback areas. C. Multi-unit dwelling-Wall requirement. 1. A multi-unit dwelling located on a single parcel shall provide a minimum of 6-foot high solid wall of masonry, brick, or similar material along all property lines that border the on-site parking lot and which abut a single-unit dwelling, duplex dwelling, or a lot within any of the zoning districts in chapter 17.204. 2. The 6-foot wall shall not extend into any required front-yard or street side-yard setback of the multi-unit dwelling development or adjacent residential development. 3. The height of the wall in the front-yard or street side-yard setback area shall comply with subsection A of this section. D. Concertina wire; barbed wire. 1. Concertina wire, serpentine wire, barbed wire, razor wire, and other similar fencing materials capable of inflicting significant physical injury is prohibited, unless required by court order or allowed pursuant to subsection D.2. 2. A site plan and design review deviation under article I of chapter 17.808 to allow use of these fencing materials may be approved if the decision maker finds that use of these fencing materials is reasonably necessary to protect persons or property and will not constitute a safety hazard to members of the public conducting themselves in a lawful manner. 3. These fencing materials shall not protrude into or over the public right-of-way. (Ord. 2019-0006 § 14; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.620.110 Regulations for residential development. The regulations in this section apply to walls and fences for single-unit, duplex, and multi-unit dwelling developments. A. Front yards and street side yards. Walls or fences not exceeding 4 feet in height may be placed along the front and street side property lines or within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas, subject to the following exceptions. 1. Exception-Welded-metal fences. A decorative, open wrought-iron or tubular-steel fence not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed along the front and street side property lines or within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas. a. This exception does not authorize solid walls or fences composed of chain link, woven wire, wood, or materials other than open wrought iron or tubular steel. b. A post or pilaster, consisting of masonry, brick, or other solid material, not exceeding 18 inches square and 6 feet tall, may be used to support a wrought iron or tubular steel fence at a minimum distance between posts of 6 feet. 2. Exception-Chain link and woven-wire fences. Chain link and woven-wire fences are prohibited within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas. 3. Exception-Street side-yard setback area. a. Fence location. A fence or wall not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed within the street side-yard setback area if it is either located at least five feet from the street side property line or is placed on a line parallel to the street and that represents the extension of the wall of the main building that is nearest to the street. b. Landscaping requirement. Climbing vines, shrubs, or trees shall be planted along the base of that portion of the wall or fence that fronts a public street. The remaining setback area between the wall or fence and property line shall be landscaped with grass or other low groundcover. All plants shall be properly irrigated and maintained. Only living vegetation may be used to meet the landscaping requirements. 4. Exception-Gate feature. A decorative gateway feature is permitted if the feature has a maximum height of 10 feet, a maximum length of 8 feet, and a maximum width of 24 inches. B. Rear yard and interior side yard. 1. Except as provided in subparagraphs a and b below, a wall or fence not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed along the rear or interior side property lines or within the rear or interior side yard setback area. a. A wall or fence not exceeding 8 feet in height may be placed along a rear or interior side property line that abuts a school, park, alley, or other nonresidential use. b. A development abutting a freeway or railroad may construct a solid wall up to 12 feet in height for purposes of sound attenuation. The wall shall comply with the development standards for sound walls in article III. 2. A decorative gateway feature is permitted as long as the feature has a maximum height of 10 feet, a maximum length of 8 feet, and a maximum width of 24 inches. 3. Fences exceeding 6 feet in height are allowed outside the required rear-yard and interior side-yard setback areas. C. Multi-unit dwelling-Wall requirement. 1. A multi-unit dwelling located on a single parcel shall provide a minimum of 6-foot high solid wall of masonry, brick, or similar material along all property lines that border the on-site parking lot and which abut a single-unit dwelling, duplex dwelling, or a lot within any of the zoning districts in chapter 17.204. 2. The 6-foot wall shall not extend into any required front-yard or street side-yard setback of the multi-unit dwelling development or adjacent residential development. 3. The height of the wall in the front-yard or street side-yard setback area shall comply with subsection A of this section. D. Concertina wire; barbed wire. 1. Concertina wire, serpentine wire, barbed wire, razor wire, and other similar fencing materials capable of inflicting significant physical injury is prohibited, unless required by court order or allowed pursuant to subsection D.2. 2. A site plan and design review deviation under article I of chapter 17.808 to allow use of these fencing materials may be approved if the decision maker finds that use of these fencing materials is reasonably necessary to protect persons or property and will not constitute a safety hazard to members of the public conducting themselves in a lawful manner. 3. These fencing materials shall not protrude into or over the public right-of-way. (Ord. 2019-0006 § 14; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.620.110 Regulations for residential development. The regulations in this section apply to walls and fences for single-unit, duplex, and multi-unit dwelling developments. A. Front yards and street side yards. Walls or fences not exceeding 4 feet in height may be placed along the front and street side property lines or within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas, subject to the following exceptions. 1. Exception-Welded-metal fences. A decorative, open wrought-iron or tubular-steel fence not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed along the front and street side property lines or within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas. a. This exception does not authorize solid walls or fences composed of chain link, woven wire, wood, or materials other than open wrought iron or tubular steel. b. A post or pilaster, consisting of masonry, brick, or other solid material, not exceeding 18 inches square and 6 feet tall, may be used to support a wrought iron or tubular steel fence at a minimum distance between posts of 6 feet. 2. Exception-Chain link and woven-wire fences. Chain link and woven-wire fences are prohibited within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas. 3. Exception-Street side-yard setback area. a. Fence location. A fence or wall not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed within the street side-yard setback area if it is either located at least five feet from the street side property line or is placed on a line parallel to the street and that represents the extension of the wall of the main building that is nearest to the street. b. Landscaping requirement. Climbing vines, shrubs, or trees shall be planted along the base of that portion of the wall or fence that fronts a public street. The remaining setback area between the wall or fence and property line shall be landscaped with grass or other low groundcover. All plants shall be properly irrigated and maintained. Only living vegetation may be used to meet the landscaping requirements. 4. Exception-Gate feature. A decorative gateway feature is permitted if the feature has a maximum height of 10 feet, a maximum length of 8 feet, and a maximum width of 24 inches. B. Rear yard and interior side yard. 1. Except as provided in subparagraphs a and b below, a wall or fence not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed along the rear or interior side property lines or within the rear or interior side yard setback area. a. A wall or fence not exceeding 8 feet in height may be placed along a rear or interior side property line that abuts a school, park, alley, or other nonresidential use. b. A development abutting a freeway or railroad may construct a solid wall up to 12 feet in height for purposes of sound attenuation. The wall shall comply with the development standards for sound walls in article III. 2. A decorative gateway feature is permitted as long as the feature has a maximum height of 10 feet, a maximum length of 8 feet, and a maximum width of 24 inches. 3. Fences exceeding 6 feet in height are allowed outside the required rear-yard and interior side-yard setback areas. C. Multi-unit dwelling-Wall requirement. 1. A multi-unit dwelling located on a single parcel shall provide a minimum of 6-foot high solid wall of masonry, brick, or similar material along all property lines that border the on-site parking lot and which abut a single-unit dwelling, duplex dwelling, or a lot within any of the zoning districts in chapter 17.204. 2. The 6-foot wall shall not extend into any required front-yard or street side-yard setback of the multi-unit dwelling development or adjacent residential development. 3. The height of the wall in the front-yard or street side-yard setback area shall comply with subsection A of this section. D. Concertina wire; barbed wire. 1. Concertina wire, serpentine wire, barbed wire, razor wire, and other similar fencing materials capable of inflicting significant physical injury is prohibited, unless required by court order or allowed pursuant to subsection D.2. 2. A site plan and design review deviation under article I of chapter 17.808 to allow use of these fencing materials may be approved if the decision maker finds that use of these fencing materials is reasonably necessary to protect persons or property and will not constitute a safety hazard to members of the public conducting themselves in a lawful manner. 3. These fencing materials shall not protrude into or over the public right-of-way. (Ord. 2019-0006 § 14; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

A fence or wall not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed within the street side-yard setback area if it is either located at least five feet from the street side property line or is placed on a line parallel to the street and that represents the extension of the wall of the main building that is nearest to the street.

17.620.110 Regulations for residential development. The regulations in this section apply to walls and fences for single-unit, duplex, and multi-unit dwelling developments. A. Front yards and street side yards. Walls or fences not exceeding 4 feet in height may be placed along the front and street side property lines or within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas, subject to the following exceptions. 1. Exception-Welded-metal fences. A decorative, open wrought-iron or tubular-steel fence not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed along the front and street side property lines or within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas. a. This exception does not authorize solid walls or fences composed of chain link, woven wire, wood, or materials other than open wrought iron or tubular steel. b. A post or pilaster, consisting of masonry, brick, or other solid material, not exceeding 18 inches square and 6 feet tall, may be used to support a wrought iron or tubular steel fence at a minimum distance between posts of 6 feet. 2. Exception-Chain link and woven-wire fences. Chain link and woven-wire fences are prohibited within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas. 3. Exception-Street side-yard setback area. a. Fence location. A fence or wall not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed within the street side-yard setback area if it is either located at least five feet from the street side property line or is placed on a line parallel to the street and that represents the extension of the wall of the main building that is nearest to the street. b. Landscaping requirement. Climbing vines, shrubs, or trees shall be planted along the base of that portion of the wall or fence that fronts a public street. The remaining setback area between the wall or fence and property line shall be landscaped with grass or other low groundcover. All plants shall be properly irrigated and maintained. Only living vegetation may be used to meet the landscaping requirements. 4. Exception-Gate feature. A decorative gateway feature is permitted if the feature has a maximum height of 10 feet, a maximum length of 8 feet, and a maximum width of 24 inches. B. Rear yard and interior side yard. 1. Except as provided in subparagraphs a and b below, a wall or fence not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed along the rear or interior side property lines or within the rear or interior side yard setback area. a. A wall or fence not exceeding 8 feet in height may be placed along a rear or interior side property line that abuts a school, park, alley, or other nonresidential use. b. A development abutting a freeway or railroad may construct a solid wall up to 12 feet in height for purposes of sound attenuation. The wall shall comply with the development standards for sound walls in article III. 2. A decorative gateway feature is permitted as long as the feature has a maximum height of 10 feet, a maximum length of 8 feet, and a maximum width of 24 inches. 3. Fences exceeding 6 feet in height are allowed outside the required rear-yard and interior side-yard setback areas. C. Multi-unit dwelling-Wall requirement. 1. A multi-unit dwelling located on a single parcel shall provide a minimum of 6-foot high solid wall of masonry, brick, or similar material along all property lines that border the on-site parking lot and which abut a single-unit dwelling, duplex dwelling, or a lot within any of the zoning districts in chapter 17.204. 2. The 6-foot wall shall not extend into any required front-yard or street side-yard setback of the multi-unit dwelling development or adjacent residential development. 3. The height of the wall in the front-yard or street side-yard setback area shall comply with subsection A of this section. D. Concertina wire; barbed wire. 1. Concertina wire, serpentine wire, barbed wire, razor wire, and other similar fencing materials capable of inflicting significant physical injury is prohibited, unless required by court order or allowed pursuant to subsection D.2. 2. A site plan and design review deviation under article I of chapter 17.808 to allow use of these fencing materials may be approved if the decision maker finds that use of these fencing materials is reasonably necessary to protect persons or property and will not constitute a safety hazard to members of the public conducting themselves in a lawful manner. 3. These fencing materials shall not protrude into or over the public right-of-way. (Ord. 2019-0006 § 14; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

A wall or fence not exceeding 8 feet in height may be placed along a rear or interior side property line that abuts a school, park, alley, or other nonresidential use.

17.620.320 Development standards. The standards in this section apply to sound walls required by this article. A. Design. The wall shall be designed to be in character, scale, and style of the surrounding neighborhood. The wall design and appearance shall be reviewed and approved by the zoning administrator. B. Materials. Walls shall be constructed of brick, concrete, or masonry material. The wall surface shall be easy to maintain. C. Height. 1. Walls shall have a minimum height of 6 feet and a maximum height of 8 feet above the adjacent finish grade along arterial streets. Walls shall have a minimum height of 6 feet and a maximum height of 12 feet above the adjacent finish grade along freeways and railroads. 2. The height of the wall is measured from the highest point of the wall to the adjacent finish grade. Where the finish grades differ on each side of the wall or fence, such as when the wall is also used as a soil retaining structure, the height is measured from the higher adjacent finish grade. 3. If required to conform to environmental mitigation measures or the noise element of the general plan, as documented in a noise study, a wall in excess of the height limit stated in this subsection C is permitted as necessary to attenuate noise to comply with the mitigation measure or the general plan. 4. Walls required to be greater than 8 feet in height shall be constructed utilizing soil mounding to reduce the apparent height. 5. A wall in the front-yard or street side-yard setback area of residential uses must comply with the residential requirements for a wall in section 17.620.110.B.1.a. D. Landscaped setback. Walls shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet from the public right-of-way. Setback areas shall be landscaped with ground cover, shrubs, vines, mounds, and trees. An automatic irrigation system shall be in-stalled in the landscaped setback area. The landscape plan for the setback area shall be approved by the city landscape architect. E. Structural criteria. Walls shall be constructed in accordance with the current Sacramento City Building Code. A building permit shall be required for a wall over 6 feet in height. 1. Walls may be designed to meet CalTrans sound wall design criteria that meet or exceed the base stated standards and are acceptable as an alternative sound wall type. F. Long-term maintenance funding. A funding method to provide for the long term, ongoing maintenance of the wall and landscaped area shall be submitted and approved by the city prior to the construction of the wall. G. Walls located adjacent to CalTrans rights-of-way shall utilize the CalTrans sound wall design criteria and the CalTrans standard construction drawings of approved sound wall types. H. In areas where terrain, grade, and access control allow, walls may be constructed within the state right-of-way under a CalTrans encroachment permit. [Figure] [Figure] (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.620.110 Regulations for residential development. The regulations in this section apply to walls and fences for single-unit, duplex, and multi-unit dwelling developments. A. Front yards and street side yards. Walls or fences not exceeding 4 feet in height may be placed along the front and street side property lines or within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas, subject to the following exceptions. 1. Exception-Welded-metal fences. A decorative, open wrought-iron or tubular-steel fence not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed along the front and street side property lines or within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas. a. This exception does not authorize solid walls or fences composed of chain link, woven wire, wood, or materials other than open wrought iron or tubular steel. b. A post or pilaster, consisting of masonry, brick, or other solid material, not exceeding 18 inches square and 6 feet tall, may be used to support a wrought iron or tubular steel fence at a minimum distance between posts of 6 feet. 2. Exception-Chain link and woven-wire fences. Chain link and woven-wire fences are prohibited within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas. 3. Exception-Street side-yard setback area. a. Fence location. A fence or wall not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed within the street side-yard setback area if it is either located at least five feet from the street side property line or is placed on a line parallel to the street and that represents the extension of the wall of the main building that is nearest to the street. b. Landscaping requirement. Climbing vines, shrubs, or trees shall be planted along the base of that portion of the wall or fence that fronts a public street. The remaining setback area between the wall or fence and property line shall be landscaped with grass or other low groundcover. All plants shall be properly irrigated and maintained. Only living vegetation may be used to meet the landscaping requirements. 4. Exception-Gate feature. A decorative gateway feature is permitted if the feature has a maximum height of 10 feet, a maximum length of 8 feet, and a maximum width of 24 inches. B. Rear yard and interior side yard. 1. Except as provided in subparagraphs a and b below, a wall or fence not exceeding 6 feet in height may be placed along the rear or interior side property lines or within the rear or interior side yard setback area. a. A wall or fence not exceeding 8 feet in height may be placed along a rear or interior side property line that abuts a school, park, alley, or other nonresidential use. b. A development abutting a freeway or railroad may construct a solid wall up to 12 feet in height for purposes of sound attenuation. The wall shall comply with the development standards for sound walls in article III. 2. A decorative gateway feature is permitted as long as the feature has a maximum height of 10 feet, a maximum length of 8 feet, and a maximum width of 24 inches. 3. Fences exceeding 6 feet in height are allowed outside the required rear-yard and interior side-yard setback areas. C. Multi-unit dwelling-Wall requirement. 1. A multi-unit dwelling located on a single parcel shall provide a minimum of 6-foot high solid wall of masonry, brick, or similar material along all property lines that border the on-site parking lot and which abut a single-unit dwelling, duplex dwelling, or a lot within any of the zoning districts in chapter 17.204. 2. The 6-foot wall shall not extend into any required front-yard or street side-yard setback of the multi-unit dwelling development or adjacent residential development. 3. The height of the wall in the front-yard or street side-yard setback area shall comply with subsection A of this section. D. Concertina wire; barbed wire. 1. Concertina wire, serpentine wire, barbed wire, razor wire, and other similar fencing materials capable of inflicting significant physical injury is prohibited, unless required by court order or allowed pursuant to subsection D.2. 2. A site plan and design review deviation under article I of chapter 17.808 to allow use of these fencing materials may be approved if the decision maker finds that use of these fencing materials is reasonably necessary to protect persons or property and will not constitute a safety hazard to members of the public conducting themselves in a lawful manner. 3. These fencing materials shall not protrude into or over the public right-of-way. (Ord. 2019-0006 § 14; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

A building permit shall be required for a wall over 6 feet in height.