(A) Fences. Fences are permissible for all residential districts and are mandatory for other specific uses and shall be erected as required in this section.
(B) Prohibited materials.
1. Electrical. No electrically charged fences shall be permitted in the city.
2. Barbed wire. No barbed wire or other sharp pointed material shall be used in the construction of a fence unless the Planning Director or the Planning Commission gives approval. Industrial and commercial districts permit fencing up to seven feet in height with the top one foot composed of three-strand barbed wire. When security fencing is required, it should be a combination of solid pillars, or short solid wall segments, and wrought iron grillwork.
3. Wrought iron. No wrought iron containing sharp pointed material shall be used for either fencing or window coverings in any residential district.
(C) Public enclosures. Fences that enclose school grounds, public playgrounds, tennis courts, public swimming pools or other public areas may be erected to a height in excess of six feet.
(D) Building permit/inspection. The following fences shall require a building permit and/or inspection as appropriate for compliance with adopted fencing specifications:
1. All masonry and brick fences and walls above six feet; and
2. All fences that incorporate electrical wiring.
(E) Approved materials.
1. Residential fences will be constructed of wood, masonry block, brick, stucco, vinyl and any combination of these materials or other approved materials as is encouraged in the city design guide. Redwood is highly encouraged. Cyclone fencing is discouraged.
2. Sound walls will be constructed of masonry block, brick, stucco and any combination of these materials or other approved materials as is encouraged in the city design guide. Redwood is highly encouraged. Cyclone and vinyl fencing are discouraged. All masonry walls shall be provided with a decorative capping material.
(F) Permit/agreement. An encroachment permit and hold harmless agreement shall be required to permit installation of fences, subject to city code, within the street right-of-way.
(G) Nonconforming. The city shall reserve the right to abate any nonconforming nuisance fence by city code. The property owner will incur all costs and responsibilities of fence removal.
(H) Fire hydrant. A minimum three-foot clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of a fire hydrant except as otherwise required or approved by the Fire Chief.
(I) Fence site plan. All proposed construction of subdivision, commercial or industrial fences shall require submittal of a fence site plan. That plan shall identify the fencing’s location, height, composition, relationship to other structures, fencing and landscaping. Uniform fencing materials shall be used in subdivisions where possible.
(J) Residential. In all residential districts (R-E, R-1, R-2 and R-3) the requirements for fences and hedges are as follows.
1. Front yards. Maximum height above grade shall not exceed 36 inches except that the fence may be erected to a maximum height of 48 inches for residences, or 72 inches for nonresidential uses that are permitted or conditionally permitted in residential districts, provided that any fence which exceeds 36 inches is uniformly open to the extent of 33-1/3%. UNIFORMLY OPEN shall be construed to mean that the interstices between the solid material of the fence are evenly spaced so as to make vision through the fence possible.
2. Rear yards. Maximum height shall be six feet above grade.
3. Side yards. Maximum height shall be six feet above grade.
4. Adjacent to major street. A minimum six foot solid decorative masonry fence may be required for residential lots that are adjacent to a major street.
5. Exceptions.
(a) Corner lots. On corner lots which are not reversed corner lots, no fence or hedge exceeding 36 inches in height shall be permitted closer than five feet behind sidewalk or along side street lot line, whichever is greater.
(b) Reversed corner lots. On reversed corner lots, no fence or hedge exceeding 36 inches in height shall be permitted closer than 20 feet to the side street lot line.
(K) Corner lot.
1. On a corner lot or reversed corner lot in any district, no fence shall be erected or plants permitted to grow in such a manner as to materially impede vision between the height of two and one-half feet and ten feet above the centerline grades in the sight distance area.
2. No fence, hedge, wall or obstruction three feet in height shall be erected within the “vision triangle” of a corner lot created by measuring the appropriate distance, set forth as follows: 20 feet along the front street property line and 20 feet from the side street property line starting from the point at which the front street property line intersects the side street property line. “Vision triangle” requirements will also apply to rear street side property lines.
(L) Nonresidential. The development of any property fence of a nonresidential nature in a C-1, DTC, C-2, C-3, M-1 or M-2 District shall include a minimum six-foot masonry or other fence or wall along the rear and side property lines which abuts property zoned for residential purposes.
(M) Industrial/commercial. A seven-foot decorative heavy masonry wall or fence shall be required for industrial and commercial districts that are adjacent to major streets and expressways, or to separate delivery areas from residential or school uses.
(N) Landscaping. Fences, walls and hedges may be incorporated with landscaped mounds to meet height requirements contained within this chapter.
(O) Diagram. Diagram depicting fencing regulations, is as follows:
Figure 1: Diagram Depicting Fence Regulations
(Ord. 533, passed 8-16-2005; Ord. 600, passed 3-19-2013)