(New Sec. 13.10 Added by Ord. No. 172,460, Eff. 3/22/99.)
A. Purpose. This section sets forth procedures, guidelines and standards for the establishment of Fence Height Districts (FH) in residential areas of the City. The purpose of the Fence Height District (FH) is to permit open wrought iron fences in the front yards of properties in residential zones to be higher than normally permitted by this Code in areas where special circumstances such as a high rate of residential burglary or other crimes, or the character of the neighborhood necessitates the erection of those fences.
B. Establishment of Districts. The procedures set forth in Sec. 13B.1.4. (Zone Change) of Chapter 1A
of this Code shall be followed except that each Fence Height District (FH) shall include only lots which are in residential zones, and shall not include lots which are in Hillside Areas, in the Coastal Zone, in Historic Preservation Overlay Zones, or in Specific Plan Areas. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.)
C. Development Regulations. Fences not exceeding six feet in height above the adjacent natural ground level are permitted in the required front yards of lots in a Fence Height District (FH), provided that:
1. The fences are of open wrought iron, with any solid portion of the fence, including vegetation or similar obstruction, not exceeding three and one-half feet in height.
2. The fences may be supported by solid six- foot high pilasters with a maximum dimension of 24 inches and spaced not less than eight feet apart on center.
3. No vertical wrought iron member shall be greater than 5/8 inches in diameter nor spaced less than four inches apart on center.
4. No horizontal wrought iron member shall be greater than one inch in diameter nor spaced less than 18 inches apart on center.
5. No vegetation of any type which produces a hedge-like effect shall be allowed to grow upon or adjacent to the fence to a height above three foot six inches.
6. The wrought iron fence and pilasters shall be setback from the front property line a minimum of 18 inches and shall be maintained with landscaping and serviced by an automatic irrigation system.
7. A minimum five-foot by five-foot cut corner shall be provided wherever the wrought iron fence meets the driveway.
8. All lighting fixtures supported by the fence, if provided, shall be in full compliance with the Los Angeles Municipal Code with regard to illumination and an after-hours inspection shall be requested by the owner to assure levels of illumination are acceptable. This inspection shall be conducted by the Lighting Enforcement Division of the Department of Building and Safety and a fee paid for the inspection by the applicant.
9. Any driveway gate(s) shall be of open wrought iron, and if provided, shall be no more than six feet in height and shall either be sliding or be designed to open inward to the property. If an electric driveway gate of open wrought iron is provided, it shall have a gate operator approved by an approved testing laboratory and shall incorporate a safety device to interrupt gate operation in case the gate becomes blocked.
10. A 10-foot by 10-foot visibility triangle pursuant to Section 12.21 C.7.(a) shall be provided on corner lots and the fence shall be clear of any obstruction above three feet six inches.
11. If any pilaster is within five feet of a driveway, a convex mirror at least 12 inches in diameter shall be placed so as to provide visibility in the direction blocked by the pilaster for the drivers of vehicles exiting the driveway.