The purpose of this chapter is to establish requirements for fences, hedges, and walls. These requirements are designed to provide aesthetic enhancement of the City.
(Prior code § 16-325.010; Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025)
The provisions of this chapter apply to all fences, hedges, and walls unless otherwise stated. These regulations do not apply to fences or walls required by regulations of a State or Federal agency, or by the City for reasons of public safety.
(Prior code § 16-325.020; Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025)
A building permit is required for fences and walls consistent with the current version of the California Building Code.
(Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025[1])
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed §§ 16.48.030—16.48.100, derived from Prior code §§ 16-325.025—16-325.080, Ord. 023-07 C.S. §§ 29—36; Ord. 001-08 C.S. §§ 5, 6; Ord. 015-09 C.S., eff. 12-3-09; Ord. 009-10 C.S. § 1, eff. 8-26-10; Ord. 2019-05-21-1504 C.S. § 2; Ord. 2020-06-09-1501 C.S. §§ 13, 14 and Ord. 2020-12-01-1502 C.S. §§ 16, 17.
The height of a fence or wall, including fences placed on top of a wall, is measured as the vertical distance from the highest finished grade on either side of the fence or wall to the highest point of such fence or wall.
(Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025)
The maximum allowed height of fences, walls, dense hedges, and related structures is as follows. Fences, walls, dense hedges, and related structures are also subject to Section 16.36.140 (Traffic sight area).
A.
Front and Street-Side Setbacks. Fences, walls, dense hedges, and similar structures shall not exceed three feet in height within the required front and street-side setback, except as follows.
1.
Open Fences. Fences constructed of open grillwork or other allowed material that allows at least 33% view penetration through the fence may be a maximum of four feet tall.
2.
Welded-metal Fences. A decorative, open wrought-iron or tubular-steel fence not exceeding six feet in height in the Magnolia Historic (-MHD) Overlay District and five feet in height outside of the -MHD Overlay District may be placed along the front and street side property lines or within the front-yard and street side-yard setback areas.
a.
This exception does not authorize solid walls or fences composed of chain link, woven wire, wood, or materials other than open wrought iron or tubular steel.
b.
A post or pilaster, consisting of masonry, brick, or other solid material, not exceeding 18 inches square and five feet tall, may be used to support a wrought iron or tubular steel fence at a minimum distance between posts of seven feet.
B.
Other Areas. Fences, walls, dense hedges, and similar structures located outside of required setback areas or within required interior side or rear setback areas shall not exceed eight feet in height.
C.
Decorative Features. One entry gateway, trellis, or other entry structure is permitted in the required front or street-facing side yard of each lot, provided that the structure does not exceed 10 feet in height, eight feet in width, and three feet in depth. Such decorative features shall not have any solid obstruction that exceeds one foot in diameter between the height of three feet and eight feet.
D.
Exceptions.
1.
Public Areas. Fences that enclose school grounds, public playgrounds, tennis courts, public swimming pools, or other public areas that are used for athletic purposes may exceed the maximum height limitations of this chapter with the approval of the Director.
2.
Noise Mitigation. Walls used to mitigate noise may exceed the maximum height limitations of this chapter with the approval of the Director.
(Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025)
Perimeter fences/walls adjoining public rights-of-way shall be designed and constructed in compliance with City standard specifications and plans and as follows:
A.
Walls, where required, shall be constructed of decorative concrete or masonry materials up to six feet tall unless alternative materials are approved by the Director.
B.
Aesthetic appeal as well as structural integrity shall be considered when designing the wall.
C.
All walls shall be located on private property and a separate maintenance easement shall be recorded for the walls. The easement shall be of a sufficient size to allow for regular maintenance (i.e., graffiti removal) and shall include the width of the support footing as it extends from both sides of the wall. The owner, developer, and successors-in-interest shall provide for maintenance of the walls by providing some type of permanent maintenance entity such as either a Homeowners Association or participation in the City's consolidated landscape maintenance district.
D.
Where a 15-foot wide landscaped right-of-way is not required, walls shall be articulated by providing a minimum three-foot-deep by 10-foot-long landscaped recession for every 50 feet of continuous wall.
E.
The design shall include an appropriate mix of materials and landscaping subject to the approval of the Director, including materials designed to discourage graffiti (i.e., vines, shrubs with thorns etc.).
(Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025)
A.
Chain-Link Fencing.
1.
Residential Uses and Districts. Chain-link fencing is prohibited in residential districts and for residential uses in nonresidential districts.
2.
Nonresidential Uses in Commercial and Industrial Districts. Chain-link fencing is prohibited within 10 feet of a front or street-side property line. Any chain-link fencing must be vinyl-coated,
B.
Barbed Wire/Razor Wire Fencing. Barbed wire and razor wire fencing is prohibited in residential districts or adjacent to public rights-of-way in commercial and industrial districts. All barbed wire, razor wire, or other sharp pointed material may only be used in the construction of a fence if it is at least seven feet above ground level and not visible from any adjacent public street.
C.
Tarp Fencing. Tarp fencing shall be prohibited in all zoning districts.
D.
Electrified Fencing. The use of electrified fencing, for security or other purposes, is prohibited in all zoning districts, except in the CG, CA, CL, CH, IL, IG, and PT districts. Said fencing shall comply with the following requirements:
2.
Permits Required. Any electrified fencing shall require the approval of the following permits:
a.
Land Development Permit. A land development permit in compliance with Chapter 16.136 (Land Development Permits) when located in the CG, CA, CL, or CH District, except as otherwise approved by another discretionary application for a project on the same site.
c.
Building Permit. A building permit in compliance with Title 15, Buildings and Construction.
3.
General Requirements. The following electrified fencing standards shall apply to all development:
a.
Electrical Standard. Unless otherwise specified herein, electrified fences shall be constructed or installed in conformance with applicable provisions of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards for electric fence energizers, as well as applicable provisions of the California Electrical Code (CEC), as necessary.
b.
Electrification.
i.
The energizer for electric fences must be driven by a commercial storage battery not to exceed 12 Volts DC or other approved 12-Volt DC or less power source.
ii.
The electric charge produced by the fence upon contact shall not exceed energizer characteristics set forth in the IEC standard for electric fence energizers.
iii.
Non-low voltage electrical components (e.g., controllers, transformers) of the electric fencing system shall be approved and listed by an Occupational Safety and Health Act nationally recognized testing laboratory.
c.
Perimeter Fence or Wall. Except as required by subsection D.3.h (Adjacent to Residential Zones or Uses), electrified fencing shall be completely surrounded by a non-electrified fence or wall that is not less than six feet tall and has no barbed, concertina, or similar wire attached. Vehicle access gates along public rights-of-way may be exempted from this requirement, subject to approval of a land development permit in the CG, CA, CL, or CH District or another discretionary application for a project on the same site. Any barbed, concertina, or similar wire on existing fences shall be removed prior to the installation of the electric fence. Existing developed properties with legally-built existing chain-link fencing may retain said fencing when located closer than 10 feet from the front and side property. Similarly, vinyl coating on said fencing is not required.
d.
Setback.
i.
Any opening in the perimeter fence less than or equal to three inches shall require a minimum one-foot setback from the electric fence (IEC 60335-2-76 Standard).
ii.
Any opening in the perimeter fence greater than three inches shall require a minimum three-foot setback from the electrified fence or the installation of an approved mesh between electrified fence and non-electrified fence.
e.
Height. Electrified fencing shall not have a height in excess of 10 feet.
f.
Warning Signs. Electric fences shall be clearly identified with 12-inch by 18-inch warning signs on both the inside and outside of the fence. The signs shall read "Warning-Electric Fence" in English with international symbols and other languages as required by the Land Development Permit in the CG, CA, CL, or CH District, at intervals of not greater than 30 feet. Warning signs shall be maintained in good condition at all times to ensure visibility.
g.
Emergency Access. A "Knox Box" or other similar approved devices shall be installed for emergency access by Police and Fire Departments. A means to disconnect electrical power to the fence shall be readily available to the Police and Fire Departments. Disconnect switches and controls shall be in an accessible location on the property and shall not be obscured in any manner from the street/private driveway access. Approved signs stating the identification of such switches/controls in addition to informational instructions as to how to disable the electrical system shall be installed to the satisfaction of the Fire Marshal. In accordance with Section 8.44.090, a notice shall be posted at each gate (pedestrian and vehicle gates) indicating a 24-hour contact name and phone number or said information shall be filed and kept updated with the Police Department. In the event that access by the City of Stockton Fire Department and/or Police Department personnel to a property where a permitted electric fence has been installed and is operating is required due to an emergency or urgent circumstances, and the Knox Box or other similar approved device above is absent or non-functional, and an owner, manager, employee, custodian, or any other person with control over the property is not present to disable the electric fence, fire or police personnel shall be authorized to disable the electric fence in order to gain access to the property. As a condition of permit issuance, all applicants issued permits to install or use an electric fence as provided in this chapter will agree to waive any and all claims for damages to the electric fence against the City of Stockton and/or its personnel under such circumstances.
h.
Adjacent to Residential Districts or Uses. Electric fences may abut residentially-zoned or residentially-used property when there is a non-electrified wall at least eight feet in height between the electrified fence and residential district or use.
(Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025)
Fences and walls in multi-unit and nonresidential projects and all back-up walls shall be designed and built to control graffiti pursuant to Section 8.24.170 Ease of removal provisions).
(Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025)
All walls and fences shall be maintained in a safe, neat and orderly condition at all times.
(Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025)