This chapter shall be known as the West Sacramento Building
Standards for Electric and Barbed Wire Fences, and may be cited as
such, and will be referred to herein as "this chapter."
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2)
"Barbed wire"
means the portion of a barbed wire fence that contains sharp
edges or points.
"Barbed wire fence"
means a fence, barrier, or enclosure partially or totally
surrounding a building, field, or yard, that includes sharp edges
or points, which are designed to discourage unwanted intrusion into
the surrounded building, field, or yard.
"Electric fence"
means any fence, barrier or enclosure partially or totally
surrounding a building, field or yard, carrying any electrical pulse
or charge through any part, section or element thereof.
"Key box"
means a terminal that provides emergency responders with
safe building access. The installation of all key boxes shall conform
to 2013 California Fire Code, Chapter 5, Section 506 Key Boxes.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2)
It is unlawful for any person to install, maintain, or operate
an electric fence or barbed wire fence in violation of this chapter.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2)
In the event of any conflict between this chapter and any state
or federal law, rule or regulation, the requirement that establishes
the higher standard of safety or accessibility shall govern. Failure
to comply with such standard shall be a violation of this chapter.
To the extent that the construction of an electric fence does
not conflict with the requirements of this chapter, such fence shall
be constructed and installed in conformance with the specifications
set forth in IEC Standard 60335-2-76.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2)
A. The
installation of an electric fence requires an approved installation
permit. Installation permit applications shall be filed with the building
division. Installation permit applications must include the following:
1. Site
plan indicating the location of the electric fence and perimeter fence.
2. Schematics
and load calculations indicating and/or displaying the:
a. Location of the power source;
b. Materials used for the fence construction;
c. Location of the regulating and monitoring equipment; and
d. Location of emergency access, key box and cut-off switch.
B. The
installation permit application fee shall be set by the city council.
The fee shall be paid by the applicant at the time of filing the application.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2)
A. The
operation of an electric fence requires a valid operational permit.
Operational permit applications shall be filed with the fire department.
B. An
operational permit is valid for one year. The date of the expiration
of the operational permit shall be provided to the applicant after
the approval of the permit.
C. A written
application shall be submitted to the fire department on forms furnished
for that purpose. No applications may be accepted unless and until
the permit fee has been paid. Operational permit applications must
include the following:
1. The
name and address of the establishment and business telephone number
of the applicant, the name and titles and twenty-four hour emergency
telephone numbers of the primary response person and an alternate.
2. The
name and address of the person who owns the establishment and, if
different, the name and address of the person(s) who operate the establishment
or any portion thereof.
3. Certification
from a qualified person with expertise in evaluating the safety of
electric fences stating that the electric fence installation is currently
operating in conformity with its safety requirements.
4. A
notarized statement by the applicant stating that the electric fence
is in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
5. Proof
of liability insurance, as required by this chapter.
D. Operational
permit application fees shall be set by the city council.
E. Renewal
applications and applications filed following permit revocation shall
include all of the information required by this section.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2)
A. If
an electric fence is found to not be in compliance with this chapter,
the fire department may revoke the operational permit.
B. Upon
permit revocation, the electric fence applicant shall receive a statement
from the fire department describing the reason for the revocation.
C. Unless
otherwise provided by this chapter, after revocation an applicant
may apply for a new operational permit.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2)
An interested person may appeal to the board of appeals a decision
of the fire department or building division made pursuant to this
chapter.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2)
The owner of the electric fence and the property owner(s), if
different, are each required to carry general liability insurance
in a minimum amount of one million dollars in the aggregate. Further,
proof of insurance shall be required as a condition precedent to secure
an operational permit as required in this chapter and upon each subsequent
annual renewal. A failure to maintain proof of insurance for the permitted
year shall be grounds for denial or revocation of the operational
permit. Proof of minimum coverage amounts maintained for the preceding
year must be provided with each application for operational permit
renewal. Failure to maintain coverage for the entire previous year
shall result in a denial of any permit renewal for five years from
the date of operational permit expiration or revocation. Proof of
insurance shall be underwritten by an organization licensed and authorized
to do business in the state of California.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2)
A. No
electric fence shall be installed or operated with a power source
other than a storage battery not exceeding twelve volts direct current,
charged primarily with a solar panel; provided, however, in case of
inclement weather or other conditions that inhibit the ability of
the solar panel to fully recharge the battery, a charging device may
be utilized for such purpose, if connected in a manner that ensures
that the charging device cannot provide a source of power directly
to the fence. In no case shall an electric fence be connected to any
other electric power source.
B. AC
current shall not be used to energize any electric fence.
C. All
ground system cables shall be properly insulated.
D. The
controller ground system shall not be connected to any plumbing systems
in or out of use and shall be at least fifty feet from other utility
and buried water pipes.
E. The
fence controller ground wire shall not touch any buildings on-site.
F. The
fence controller and its ground system shall be at least fifty feet
away from radio and buried telephone wires.
G. A lightning
diverter (commonly referred to as a lightning arrestor) shall be installed
between the fence and the fence controller.
H. A cut-off
switch shall be installed capable of disconnecting the fence from
the controller in case of emergencies, electrical storms, etc. A key
box shall be installed to provide secure access to the cut-off switch.
The key box shall be illuminated to a minimum one foot candle.
I. Each
energizer shall be connected to its own ground system and must not
be connected to any other ground system(s).
J. Two
or more energizers shall not be connected to the same fence unless
the use of multiple energizers does not increase the overall charge
transmitted on the fence and adequate access is provided to the cut-off
switch for each energizer.
K. All
cabling (i.e., wire) and connectors shall be of the same material
(e.g. steel, copper, etc.).
L. For
portable livestock fencing, compliance with this section shall be
met by providing cut-sheets and listing information for the entire
fence assembly. The information provided must conform to the standards
and provisions of the
California Building Standards Code, Title 24,
Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, and 12,
California Code of Regulations.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2; Ord. 17-15 § 2)
A. No
electric fence shall be installed or operated unless it is completely
surrounded by a non-electric perimeter fence that is not less than
six feet in height. The perimeter fence shall be separated from the
electric fence as specified in Annex CC of IEC Standard 60335-2-76,
with the exception of gate openings. The area between the perimeter
wall or fence and the electric fence shall be kept clear of landscaping,
shrubbery, other fences or material of any kind. The lowest part of
the perimeter fence or wall shall be constructed to follow the natural
terrain to prevent penetration of the perimeter fence at ground level.
No part of a perimeter fence shall be allowed to be in contact with
the electric fence. Perimeter fences shall be one of the following:
a wood privacy fence, a chain link fence with wood or plastic slats
inserted into each weave of the fence, or an equivalent solid barrier
fence.
B. For
portable livestock fencing, a non-electric perimeter fence, forty
inches in height, shall be separated from the electric fence by a
distance not less than thirty-six inches from the electric fence.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2; Ord. 17-15 § 2)
A. Electric
fences shall only be allowed in zoning designations specified in Title
17 of the West Sacramento Municipal Code.
B. The
electric fence or barrier must be located at least ten feet from any
street property line or five feet from a separated sidewalk.
C. Electric
fences are prohibited within twenty-five feet of any outdoor area
utilized for the storage, use, or handling of hazardous materials
as defined in the 2013 California Fire Code.
D. Portable
livestock fencing adjacent to residential areas shall be subject to
review and approval of the fire department. Approval shall only be
given for temporary operations lasting no more than ninety days. Operational
locations shall only be approved when the system is under twenty-four-hour
supervision by an attendant.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2; Ord. 17-15 § 2)
A. An
electric fence located within the ML, M-1, M-2, M-3, or BP zones shall
be not less than eight feet in height.
B. An
electric fence which is utilized for portable livestock fencing shall
be a minimum of thirty-six inches in height.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2; Ord. 17-15 § 2)
Electric fences shall be clearly identified by warning signs.
The warning signs shall conform to the following requirements:
A. All
warning signs shall include text that reads: "Warning Electric Fence."
The text shall be printed in English, Spanish and Russian. All lettering
shall be a minimum of one inch high.
B. In
areas where portable livestock fencing is utilized, signs shall be
posted that read "Warning: Do Not Pet Livestock." Signs shall be printed
in English, Spanish and Russian. All lettering shall be a minimum
of one inch high.
C. The
size of the warning signs shall be a minimum of four inches by eight
inches.
D. The
warning signs shall consist of a yellow background with black inscriptions
and must be kept in good condition to ensure visibility.
E. There
shall be a minimum of one warning sign on each section of the perimeter
fence running parallel to the electric fence, and additional warning
signs must be posted so that the distance between warning signs is
not greater than fifty feet.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2; Ord. 17-15 § 2)
A. An
electric fence shall only be energized during the hours when the general
public does not have legal access to the protected property and shall
be maintained by an automatic timer.
B. A portable
electric fence which is used for livestock containment shall only
be energized when in constant (twenty-four-hour) supervision of an
attendant.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2; Ord. 17-15 § 2)
The barbed wire fence restrictions contained in this chapter
do not apply if the barbed wire fence is installed on a farm or ranch.
Barbed wire fences shall conform to the following requirements:
A. Barbed
wire shall be securely fastened to durable wooden or metal posts,
spaced not to exceed fifteen feet center-to-center and designed to
withstand reasonable loads.
B. Gates
on a barbed wire fence shall have solid frames and be conventionally
hinged. Gates shall not swing over public property.
C. Barbed
wire shall be properly attached and secured to risers or outriggers
designed for this purpose.
D. Barbed
wire must be at least seven feet above the finished grade at all points
along the barbed wire fence. Barbed wire shall not at any point extend
beyond the property line or over the public way.
E. Barbed
wire fences shall only be allowed in zoning designations specified
in Title 17 of the municipal code. Fencing locations shall comply
with Title 17 of the municipal code.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2)
The use of broken glass and similar materials designed to do
bodily harm, as a topping for fences and walls is prohibited.
(Ord. 13-10 § 2; Ord. 14-8 § 2)