The provisions of this chapter apply to all fences, hedges, and walls unless otherwise stated. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to fences required by state law to surround and enclose public utility installations or to fences located on federal or school district properties.
(Ord. 1598)
A. 
Maximum Heights. Fences, hedges, and walls (except retaining walls) may be constructed to the heights shown in Table 11.4.15.010.A.1: Allowable Heights. Additional standards for specific areas are set forth in Table 11.4.15.010.A.2: Allowable Heights—Specific Locations. See also Section 11.4.15.015: Height Limitations for Retaining Walls.
Table 11.4.15.010.A.1
ALLOWABLE HEIGHTS
Location
Maximum Height
Front setbacks
3.5 feet
Rear and interior side setbacks
7 feet1
Street-side setbacks
7 feet1
At intersections of streets, alleys, and driveways within traffic safety sight areas
30 inches if solid; otherwise the maximum height normally allowed, if the fence material is 75% open (e.g., lattice)
Alleys
6 feet if not within 5.5 feet of the rear property line
1
An additional 1 foot of height is allowed (to a maximum of 8 feet tall), but all fencing material above 7 feet in height shall be open grill or latticework, or a similar open design allowing light and air to pass through at least 50% of the fencing material.
Table 11.4.15.010.A.2 ALLOWABLE HEIGHTS—SPECIFIC LOCATIONS
Maximum Allowable Height
Specific Locations
10 feet
Between residential and commercial/industrial zone districts
10 feet
Along the rear yards of lots that are located along the following roadways:
 
□ Almond Avenue
 
□ Balboa Drive from Pacific Coast Highway to Bolsa Avenue
 
□ Bolsa Avenue
 
□ First Street
 
□ Lampson Avenue
 
□ Marina Drive
 
□ Pacific Coast Highway
 
□ San Diego Freeway
 
□ Seal Beach Boulevard
 
□ Westminster Avenue
 
□ I-605/7th Street Connector
 
□ Beverly Manor Road
10 feet
Along the rear yards of lots that are adjacent to the following areas/facilities:
 
□ Hellman Ranch
 
□ Gum Grove Park
 
□ East flood control channel, College Park East
 
□ Edison Park
 
□ West property line, Leisure World
8 feet
RLD-15 District, where 7-foot fences are permitted pursuant to Table 11.4.15.010.A.1
B. 
Visibility.
1. 
On reverse corner lots and corner lots abutting an alley, no fence, wall or hedge greater than 42 inches in height may be located within the triangular area formed by measuring 10 feet from the intersection of the rear and street side property lines.
2. 
On corner lots, no fence, wall, landscaping, berming, sign, or other visual obstruction between 42 inches and 7 feet in height as measured from the adjacent curb elevation may be located within the triangular area formed by measuring 25 feet from the intersection of the front and street side property lines or their prolongation. Trees trimmed free of branches and foliage so as to maintain visual clearance below 7 feet shall be permitted. See Figure 11.4.15.010.B: Intersection and Driveway Visibility Standards.
3. 
Visibility of a driveway crossing a street or alley property line or of intersecting driveways shall not be blocked between a height of 42 inches and 7 feet within a triangular area formed by measuring 10 feet from intersecting driveways or street/alley and driveway. See Figure 11.4.15.010.B: Intersection and Driveway Visibility Standards.
Figure 11.4.15.010.B Intersection and Driveway Visibility Standards
C. 
Modifications to Fence Height Standards. The planning commission may modify the fence height standards referenced in subsection A of this section, subject to the approval of a minor use permit pursuant to Chapter 11.5.20: Development Permits and in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
D. 
Findings and Decision. The applicant shall demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the director, that the following findings are met in addition to those required for use permits pursuant to Section 11.5.20.020: Required Findings:
1. 
That the fence will be compatible with the design, appearance, and physical characteristics of the site and other existing structures in the surrounding neighborhood;
2. 
That the height, orientation, and location of the fence is in proper relation to the physical characteristics of the site and surrounding properties;
3. 
That the fence will be a planned architectural feature and would not dominate the site or overwhelm surrounding properties, structures, or passersby; and
4. 
That the fence will be of sound construction and located so as not to cause a safety hazard.
(Ord. 1598; Ord. 1611)
A. 
City-Wide Standards.
1. 
A retaining wall less than or equal to 30 inches in height is automatically permitted.
2. 
A retaining wall greater than 30 inches and up to 48 inches in height is permitted subject to minor use permit approval pursuant to Chapter 11.5.20: Development Permits. If such a wall faces a public street or place, such wall shall be screened by a landscape buffer at least 18 inches wide.
3. 
A retaining wall greater than 48 inches in height is permitted subject to conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 11.5.20: Development Permits.
4. 
A guard rail shall be placed, when necessary, on a retaining wall in accordance with the California Building Code.
5. 
A fence, wall, hedge or screen planting may be placed on a retaining wall provided the combined height of the retaining wall and fence, wall, hedge or screen planting does not exceed 10 feet.
6. 
If the combined height of a retaining wall and fence exceeds 6 feet, then the fence shall be separated from the retaining wall by a landscape terrace at least 3 feet wide.
7. 
If a set back area contains multiple retaining walls, such walls shall be separated by landscaped terraces at least 3 feet wide. All landscaped terraces shall be landscaped with automatic sprinkler systems in compliance with Section 11.4.30.010: Landscape and Irrigation Plans. See Figure 11.4.15.015: Multiple Retaining Wall Separations.
Figure 11.4.15.015 Multiple Retaining Wall Separations
B. 
RLD-9 Zone—Ocean Avenue Standards.
1. 
Scope. The standards of this paragraph B.1 apply to side yard retaining walls abutting a public street within the RLD-9 Zone on Ocean Avenue between First Street and Eighth Street. To the extent not in conflict with these standards, the city-wide standards of subsection A apply to such retaining walls as well.
2. 
A retaining wall greater than 30 inches in height is permitted subject to minor use permit pursuant to Chapter 11.5.20: Development Permits. There is no maximum height for retaining walls in this area.
3. 
The base of the public side of a retaining wall greater than 30 inches in height shall be screened by a landscape buffer at least 3 feet wide if required in connection with the minor use permit approval.
4. 
A retaining wall shall not be erected along the rear 96 feet of a lot.
5. 
A retaining wall shall not be erected on public property unless an encroachment permit has been obtained.
C. 
RLD-9 Zone—Gum Grove Park Standards.
1. 
Scope. The standards of this subsection C apply to rear yard retaining walls abutting Gum Grove Park or the wetlands area within the RLD-9 Zone along the following streets: Avalon, Catalina, Crestview and Surf Place. To the extent not in conflict with these standards, the city-wide standards of subsection A apply to such retaining walls as well.
2. 
A retaining wall may not exceed a height of 6 feet.
3. 
If a set back area contains multiple retaining walls, such walls shall be separated by a landscape terrace at least 3 feet wide.
D. 
Nonconforming Retaining Walls. Lawfully erected retaining walls existing prior to January 1, 2010 shall be deemed nonconforming and may remain as is indefinitely unless damaged to the extent of more than 50% of the replacement cost. In the event of such damage, the wall shall be restored in conformance with this section. If a nonconforming wall is removed from a lot, each future retaining wall on the lot shall be in conformance with this section.
E. 
Miscellaneous. All landscape buffers and landscape terraces shall be equipped with automatic sprinklers and continuously maintained in good condition. Height limits shall be based on measurements made on both sides of the retaining wall. All landscaped terraces shall be landscaped with automatic sprinkler systems in compliance with Section 11.4.30.010: Landscape and Irrigation Plans.
(Ord. 1598)
A. 
Determination of Height. Refer to Chapter 11.1.15: Rules of Measurement, subsection 11.1.15.025.C: Measurement of Fence or Wall Height to determine wall and fence heights.
B. 
Averaging.
1. 
Variations. To allow for minor variations in topography, the height of a fence or wall may vary up to 6 inches.
2. 
Average Finished Grade. The variation shall be dependent on the average finished grade which shall be determined by adding to the lowest grade adjacent to the fence or wall, one-half of the difference in elevation of the grade on each side of the fence.
3. 
Maximum Height. The average height of a fence or wall shall not exceed the maximum height allowed.
(Ord. 1598)
A. 
Swimming Pools, Spas, and Similar Features. Swimming pools, spas, and other similar features shall be fenced in compliance with requirements of the California Building Code. See also Section 11.4.10.030: Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs.
B. 
Walkway and Driveway Architectural Features. A maximum of 1 walkway and 1 driveway architectural feature such as an arbor, archway, or gate structure shall be permitted for each full 100 feet of street or private easement frontage; provided that a maximum of 1 such feature is allowed for properties with less than 100 feet of street or private easement frontage. Such architectural features require minor use permit approval pursuant to Chapter 11.5.20: Development Permits, and shall conform to the maximum dimensions and criteria set forth in Figure 11.4.15.025.B: Architectural Features Around Walkways and Driveways.
Figure 11.4.15.025.B Architectural Features Around Walkways and Driveways
C. 
Outdoor Equipment, Storage, and Work Areas. Screening of outdoor uses and equipment and activities shall be provided in compliance with Section 11.4.30.040: Buffer Yards, and Section 11.4.05.090: Outdoor Dining, Display, and Sales Standards.
D. 
Sport Facility and Golf Course Fencing. Fencing height greater than that allowed by Section 11.4.15.010: General Height Limitations, may be permitted by minor use permit pursuant to Chapter 11.5.20: Development Permits.
E. 
Temporary Fencing. Temporary fencing used during site preparation and construction shall be subject to the approval of the director.
F. 
Fence and Wall Design. In new development the director shall utilize the following guidelines in reviewing and approving fences and walls:
1. 
Uniformity Required. Fence or wall designs should be consistent throughout a multi-unit or nonresidential development, or single-unit subdivision, although multiple designs may be employed in large projects.
2. 
Mix of Materials Required. The design should include a mix of materials and finishes that are compatible with the overall design of the project.
3. 
Articulation Required. Perimeter fences and walls adjoining public rights-of-way should be articulated as determined by the director. See also Chapter 11.4.30: Landscaping and Buffer Yards; subsection 11.4.30.015.B: Street Side and Street Rear Property Line Walls.
(Ord. 1598)
A. 
Security Fences. Barbed wire, electrified, or razor wire fences, and other similar types of security fences are prohibited in all residential zoning districts and on commercial properties adjoining a residential zoning district. The use of such fence materials on commercial, mixed-use, light manufacturing, and oil extraction properties that do not adjoin a residential zoning district shall be subject to minor use permit review, in compliance with Chapter 11.5.20: Development Permits.
B. 
Chain-link. Except for temporary fencing associated with construction, the use of chain-link fencing shall not be allowed on a residentially zoned or developed property.
(Ord. 1598)
The planning commission may waive or modify the requirements of Section 11.4.15.030: Restrictions on Fence Materials through approval of a minor use permit in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 11.5.20: Development Permits, for nonresidential projects where evidence is presented that a higher degree of security is required and that the security may only be achieved through the use of barbed wire or similar security-type fencing materials.
(Ord. 1598)