§ 155.316.070 INTERPRETATION.

   If any portion of § 155.316 conflicts with Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 65852.2 or 65852.22, or other applicable state law, state law shall supersede this section. Any ambiguities in this section shall be interpreted to be consistent with state law.

(Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23)

§ 155.320 FENCES AND WALLS.

§ 155.320.010 PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY.

   This § 155.320 establishes standards for fences and walls in all zoning districts.

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19)

§ 155.320.020 REQUIRED PERMITS AND APPROVALS.

   (A)   No department approval required. Fences and walls consistent with this section are permitted by-right without the need to obtain a zoning clearance or other Department approval, unless otherwise stated.

   (B)   Building permit. Fences and walls may require a building permit as required by California Building Code.

   (C)   Encroachment permit. Fences and walls in the public right-of-way require an encroachment permit approved by the Public Works Department.

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19)

§ 155.320.030 MEASUREMENT OF FENCE AND WALL HEIGHT.

   (A)   Measurement of height.

      (1)   The height of a fence or wall is measured as the vertical distance from the highest finished grade at the base of the fence or wall to the top edge of the fence or wall. See Figure 320-1.

      (2)   Fence or wall height includes any materials directly attached to the fence or wall.

   (B)   Variable height fences. If the height of a fence varies due to features integral to the overall fence design, variable height elements of the fence may exceed the allowed height by a maximum of one-foot six-inches. See Figure 320-2.

      Figure 320-1: Measurement of Fence Height

      Figure 320-2: Variable Fence Height

   (C)   Fences on walls. If a fence is atop a wall, the fence height is measured from the base of the wall or the sidewalk, whichever results in a greater height, except as allowed by division (D) below.

   (D)   Different finished grades. If the adjacent finished grade is different on opposite sides of a fence or wall, the height is measured from the side with the highest finished grade to the highest point on the fence or wall.

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 902 C.-S., passed 8-18-20)

§ 155.320.040 MAXIMUM HEIGHT.

   (A)   Maximum height. Fences and walls may not exceed the maximum height shown in Table 320-1 and Figure 320-3.

Table 320-1: Allowed Fence Height
	Maximum Height [1] [3]
	Solid Fence	Open Fence [2]
Residential Zones
Front yard area between front building wall and front lot line	4 ft.	6 ft.
All other areas on lot	7 ft.	7 ft.
Mixed use zones - any location on lot	8 ft. [4]	8 ft.
Industrial, public facilities, and resource related zones - any location on lot	12 ft.	12 ft.
Notes: [1] Fences exceeding 7 feet require a Building Permit and engineered plans. [2] Open fences must utilize decorative masonry, ornamental steel or wrought iron, aluminum, brick, stone, or wood, and be at least 70% open to the passage of light and air. Chain link and other woven wire fence materials smaller than 6 gauge are not allowed between a building and the street in the residential and mixed-use zoning districts. [3] See § 155.308.040 (Vision Clearance Area) for height limitations at street intersections and when adjacent to driveways and alleys. [4] Solid fences taller than 3' (36") are not allowed between a building and the street in a mixed-use zone district.

 

Figure 320-3: Allowed Fence Height - Residential Zoning Districts

   (B)   Vision clearance area. Walls and fences shall comply with the vision clearance area requirements in § 155.308.040 (Vision Clearance Area).

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 902 C.-S., passed 8-18-20; Am. Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23)

§ 155.320.050 MATERIALS.

   Table 320-2 identifies prohibited fence materials.

 

Table 320-2: Prohibited Fence Material
Fence Material	Where Prohibited
Barbed wire	All zoning districts except for industrial and resource-related zoning districts
Razor or concertina wire	All zoning districts, except when protecting critical infrastructure as determined by the Public Works Director
Electrified fence	All zoning districts except for resource-related zoning districts
Chain link and other woven wire fencing smaller than 6 gauge	Between a building and the street in residential and mixed-use zoning districts
Nails, broken glass, or other similar hazardous objects on the top of fence or wall	All zoning districts

 

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 902 C.-S., passed 8-18-20; Am. Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23)

§ 155.320.060 NON-CONFORMING FENCES AND WALLS.

   Existing fences and walls that do not comply with this section may remain and may be repaired and modified in accordance with § 155.424.030(D) (Repairs and Modifications). When an existing fence or wall conflicts with § 155.308.040 (Vision Clearance Area), the conflict must be corrected when compliance with vision clearance area standards is triggered by § 155.424.030(B) (Required Compliance).

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 916-C.S., passed 7-6-21; Am. Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23)