(A) Height limits and locations.
(1) For residential zones, each fence, wall, and screen (including landscaping use as a screen) shall comply with height limits and locations shown in Table 25.07-J and the figure below.
(a) Maximum height may be increased by the designated approving authority as part of development review.
(b) Fences, walls, and screening are not required between land uses unless otherwise specified in this code. Fences, walls, and screening must also be located outside of any public utility easement except as authorized by the applicable utility agency.
Table 25.07-J
Maximum Height of Fences, Walls, and Screening in Required Yard Area for Residential Zones
Location of Fence/Wall/Screen | Maximum Height |
Required front yard | 4 feet |
All other locations on a residential lot or parcel except at intersections (see below) | 6 feet |
At intersections of streets, alleys, and driveways within the clear visibility area | See Chapter 23.33 for required dimensions of clear visibility area |
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(2) (a) For commercial and industrial zones, each fence, wall, and screen (including landscaping use as a screen) shall comply with height limits and locations shown in Table 25.07-K and the figure below.
(b) Maximum height may be increased by the designated approving authority as part of development review.
Table 25.07-K
Maximum Height of Fences, Walls, and Screening in Required Yard Area for Commercial and Industrial Zones
Location of Fence/Wall/Screen | Maximum Height |
Required front yard | 6 feet |
All other locations on a lot or parcel except at intersections (see below) | 8 feet |
At intersections of streets, alleys, and driveways within the clear visibility area | Dimensions of clear visibility area and maximum height determined by Public Works |
(B) Height measurement.
(1) Fence height shall be measured as the vertical distance between the finished grade at the base of the fence and the top edge of the fence.
Fence height is measured to the top edge of the fence.
(2) The height of fencing placed atop a wall shall be measured from the base of the wall, except as provided in division (B)(3), below.
(3) The height of a fence or wall shall be measured on the side facing a public right of way or the lot or parcel adjacent to the lot or parcel of the person(s) erecting the fence or wall, as shown in the figure below.
Fence height is measured from the side visible to the public (in the examples above, from the adjacent street)
(C) Prohibited materials. The following fence materials are prohibited in all residential, commercial, and industrial zones unless approved through a development review or conditional use permit process for security needs (i.e., an industrial user) or where required by the County or state or federal law or regulation.
(1) Barbed wire or electrified fence. Barbed wire and electrified fencing are permitted in agricultural zones.
(2) Razor or concertina wire in conjunction with a fence or wall, or by itself.
(3) Chain link fencing in a required front yard or street side yard.
(D) Special fencing and screening requirements. This division (D) establishes screening standards and special provisions for walls and fencing.
(1) Screening.
(a) Screening between different land uses. The County encourages the integration and connection of compatible uses. To that end, contiguous barriers in the form of solid fences and walls, including soundwalls, should only be used between land uses when residential uses are located next to industrial uses or when necessary, as determined by the designated approving authority. When used, the screening shall meet the following standards:
(b) The screen shall consist of a solid decorative wall of masonry or similar durable material or, in lieu of decorative masonry, the wall shall be covered with plant materials (e.g., ivy) or shall be blocked from view by landscape materials. The wall shall be a minimum of six feet in height, shall be architecturally treated on both sides, and shall comply with the height limitations listed in this section;
(c) The decorative wall is subject to minor development review approval;
(d) A landscaping strip with a minimum width of five feet shall be installed adjacent to a screening wall, except that a minimum of six feet of landscaping (with trees) shall be provided between a parking lot and a screening wall;
(e) The designated approving authority may waive, or approve a substitute for, the requirements above if it is determined that:
1. The relationship of the proposed uses makes screening unnecessary or undesirable;
2. The intent of this section is successfully met by alternative screening methods; and/or
3. Physical characteristics and/or constraints on the site make required screening infeasible or unnecessary.
(f) Screening of mechanical equipment. Mechanical equipment shall be screened as follows:
1. All exterior mechanical equipment shall be screened from view on all sides;
2. Screening on top of the equipment may be required by the designated approving authority if necessary, to protect views from a neighboring residential zone;
3. Solar arrays subject to ministerial permits are exempt from this requirement.
(g) Screening of roof-mounted equipment. Roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall be screened in compliance with the following standards to ensure that roof-mounted equipment is not visible from an adjoining parcel or public roadway (see the illustration below):
1. Screening materials may be solid concrete, wood, or other opaque material and shall effectively screen the mechanical equipment so that it is not visible from a public street;
2. The method of screening shall be architecturally compatible with other on-site development in terms of colors, materials, and architectural styles;
3. Mechanical equipment must be screened from the perspective of the adjacent public streets, right-of-way and/or sidewalk.
(h) Screening of ground-mounted commercial antennas.
1. Ground-mounted commercial antennas shall be screened with a fence, wall, or dense landscaping so that the antennas are less visible from the public right-of-way and to minimize the visual impact on abutting properties.
2. Building-mounted antennas shall be screened as follows:
a. Wall-mounted equipment shall be flush-mounted and painted or finished to match the building, with concealed cables;
b. Roof-mounted equipment shall be screened from view of public rights-of-way by locating the antenna below the roofline, parapet wall, or other roof screen and by locating the antenna as far away as physically feasible and aesthetically desirable from the edge of the building;
c. Antennas shall have subdued colors and non-reflective materials which blend with the materials and colors of the surrounding area or building.
(i) Screening of commercial loading docks and refuse areas. Loading docks and refuse storage areas shall be screened from public view and adjoining public streets and rights-of-way and residentially zoned areas. The method of screening shall be architecturally compatible with other on-site development in terms of colors, materials, and architectural style. Exceptions may be permitted through development review for sites with unique characteristics (e.g., shallow lot depth, adjacency to single-family unit).
(j) Screening of trash enclosures/recycle containers. Trash receptacles (including recycling and green waste containers) shall not be stored within a required front or street side yard and shall be screened from view of the public right-of-way by a solid fence not less than four feet in height. Exceptions to fence height standards may be granted by the designated approving authority to ensure proper placement and screening of trash receptacles.
(k) Outdoor equipment, storage, and work areas. Outdoor storage areas for materials other than plants shall be enclosed and screened from view from the public right-of-way and abutting property by a solid fence or wall a minimum of six feet in height. All gates provided for ingress and egress in any required fence or wall shall be at least six feet in height and shall be of view-obstructing construction.
(l) Screening for special uses. The following uses shall be screened from abutting properties and the public right-of-way as provided below:
1. Automobile dismantling. Outdoor storage areas for automobile dismantling uses shall be screened from public view by a masonry wall no less than six feet tall and no more than 14 feet tall. Materials and goods stored in the yard area may not be stacked above the height of the enclosing wall. Those portions of walls fronting onto public rights-of-way shall be buffered by a minimum ten-foot-wide landscape area that includes a ground cover and evergreen trees planted 30 feet on center. The wall shall be covered with either graffiti-resistant paint or coating or with vines or other landscaping. The design of the landscaping (e.g., irrigation, planting) shall be consistent with the standards of the landscaping section.
2. Junk tire facility. Junk tires shall be stored behind a visual screen fence no higher than eight feet tall and shall not be stacked higher than the top of the fence. Fences shall be required between a licensed junk tire facility and any adjoining parcel which has a more restrictive land use zoning designation.
3. Potable water storage facility. Potable water storage facilities shall be enclosed by a six-foot-tall solid masonry wall and buffered from the public right-of-way by a minimum ten-foot-wide landscape planter that includes ground cover and evergreen trees planted 30 feet on center. The masonry wall shall be covered in either graffiti-resistant paint or coating or with vines or other landscaping. The design of the landscaping (e.g., irrigation, planting) shall be consistent with the standards of § 25.07.011(F).
4. Service stations. Service stations shall be screened from abutting residential zoning districts and uses by a solid six -foot masonry wall along the property line between the service station and the abutting property, except that within the first 25 feet from the street right-of-way line said wall shall not exceed two and one-half feet in height.
(2) Special fencing.
(a) Retaining walls. An embankment to be retained that is over 48 inches in height shall be benched so at the low side no individual retaining wall exceeds a height of 36 inches above the finished grade and each bench has a minimum depth of 36 inches.
Retaining walls more than 48 inches high shall be stepped as shown above.
(b) Swimming pools, spas, and similar features. Swimming pools/spas and other similar water features shall be fenced in compliance with the adopted Building Code.
(c) Temporary fencing. Temporary fencing may be required by the designated approving authority where necessary to protect trees or other sensitive features and the general public from construction activities during site preparation and construction. Temporary fencing shall be removed after 90 days once construction is complete.
(d) Temporary security fencing. Temporary security fencing (including chain link) with a maximum height of six feet may be installed around the property lines of vacant property with approval from the County.
(Ord. 1043 § 3 (part), 2022)