The purpose of this Chapter to regulate the height and location of fences to provide light, air, and privacy without obstructing views, to establish buffers between different land uses, and to safeguard against visual obstructions at the intersections of streets and/or driveways. For the purposes of this Title, the term "fence" includes fences or walls.
(Ord. 1501 § 1, 2011)
The requirements of this Chapter apply to all fences and walls, except as otherwise exempt below.
A. 
Fences that are required by federal or state law or regulation, or which are required by the City for public safety (e.g., temporary construction site fencing), are exempt from this Chapter.
B. 
Walls that are required by a mitigation measure and designed and approved through a tentative subdivision map, tentative parcel map, or major design review for noise attenuation are exempt from this Chapter.
(Ord. 1501 § 1, 2011)
Except as provided below, no special planning permit or entitlement shall be required for fences or walls except that Zoning Conformance Approval (pursuant to Section 17.10.030) shall be conducted in the event that a building permit is required.
A. 
Site Plan and Design Review Required. Site Plan and Design Review is required for all fences that exceed the standards of this Chapter.
B. 
Retaining Walls. Retaining walls, as defined in this Title, may only be constructed as part of an approved grading permit or as part of a roadway improvement project.
(Ord. 1501 § 1, 2011)
Fence and wall height shall be measured as the vertical distance between the lowest finished grade at the base of the fence and the top edge of the fence material. The finished grade shall be that as shown on the approved master grading plan for the site at the time of initial development of the residential subdivision, multi-family development, or nonresidential development.
A. 
Landscape Walls. When a fence or wall is placed atop a landscape wall, the height of the landscape wall shall be considered as part of the fence or wall for purposes of determining the height of the fence or wall.
B. 
Retaining Walls. When a fence or wall is placed atop a retaining wall, the height of the fence shall be determined exclusive of the height of the retaining wall such that the top of the retaining wall is considered the finished grade.
(Ord. 1501 § 1, 2011)
A. 
Maximum Allowed Heights and Locations. Each fence and wall on residential and nonresidential property shall comply with height limits and locations shown in Table 17.46.050-1 (Maximum Height of Fences and Walls in Required Yard Area).
TABLE 17.46.050-1
MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF FENCES AND WALLS IN REQUIRED YARD AREA
Location of Fence or Wall
Maximum Height1
Within required front setback2
3½ feet3
Within required street side setback2
≤5 feet from back of sidewalk2
>5 feet from back of sidewalk
 
3½ feet3
7 feet
Within required interior side and rear setback
7 feet
At the intersections of streets, alleys, and driveways4
30 inches
Outside of required setback
16 feet
Notes:
1.
As part of a discretionary entitlement, the designated approving authority may grant additional height or location requirements to enclose or screen specific areas or uses or for fences and walls designed for noise attenuation.
2.
Setback area for street side yard is measured from back of sidewalk to the fence. If no sidewalk exists, then street side yard is measured from the property line to the fence.
3.
Height of front yard fence may be increased to 4 feet if the fence remains substantially (minimum 80%) open and transparent (e.g., picket fences, open wood slats, open wrought iron).
4.
See definition of clear visibility triangle in Chapter 17.100 (Glossary of Terms).
B. 
Landscape Walls. Landscape walls within required yard areas shall be constructed to a maximum height of 36 inches. Outside of required yard areas, the maximum height for landscape walls shall be 6 feet. Landscape walls shall not be used to alter the finish grade of the lot.
C. 
Retaining Walls. There shall be no height limits for retaining walls when constructed along the exterior property lines of the project or the final interior property lines in the case of a residential subdivision. Otherwise, a retaining wall over 4 feet in height shall be benched so that no individual wall exceeds a height of 6 feet, with the depth of each bench a minimum of 3 feet.
(Ord. 1501 § 1, 2011; Ord. 1586 § 1, 2016; Ord. O2022-06 § 1)
A. 
Fencing Materials. Fences and walls shall be constructed of attractive, long-lasting materials (e.g., masonry, wood, tubular steel, fiberglass, or stone).
B. 
Prohibited Fencing Materials. Unless approved as a condition of approval or in conjunction with another entitlement, walls or fences of sheet or corrugated iron, sheet steel, concertina wire, or sheer aluminum are prohibited. Barbed wire fencing shall not be constructed or placed on top of a fence except where properly used for agricultural, open space, or industrial uses.
Electrified fencing is prohibited in all residential and commercial zones, unless Approval Findings can be made in accordance with Section 17.10.110.D. Electrified fencing shall be allowed in CM (Commercial Manufacturing), BIP (Business Industrial Park), M1 (Light Industrial) and M2 (Heavy Industrial) zones. If adjacent to any residential use, electrified fencing shall not exceed seven feet in height or the height of the existing adjacent fence, whichever is lower, within the required landscape buffer separating the commercial or industrial use and the residential use. Electrified fencing is hereby defined as a fence containing metal wire through which an electric current is passed, as a deterrent which will shock people or animals trying to breach or climb the fence, including electrified security fences as defined within State Civil Code, Section 835 and electrified fence within the State Food and Agricultural Code, Section 17151.
C. 
Maintenance. Fences and walls shall be continuously maintained in an orderly and good condition, at no more than their maximum allowed height.
(Ord. 1501 § 1, 2011; Ord. O2018-26 § 1)
A. 
Public Frontage Fencing of Nonresidential and Multi-Family Projects. Where fencing is proposed along public frontages of nonresidential and multi-family projects, such fencing shall be open view unless otherwise required to be solid for noise attenuation. Open view fencing shall also be required when located adjacent to open space areas.
B. 
Screening of Outdoor Storage. Outdoor storage shall be fenced or screened from view. Such screening shall utilize enclosures including, but not limited to, fences, walls, landscaping, or earthen berms. Screening shall be visually compatible with the primary buildings and landscape on the property. See Section 17.80.040(C) (Outdoor Storage Requirements).
C. 
Special Fencing for Large Vehicle Storage. Vehicles greater than one ton that are not permitted to travel on public highways as defined in the California Vehicle Code that are stored on property when not part of an active construction project shall be screened from public view.
D. 
Fencing for Pools, Spas, and Similar Features. Swimming pools, spas, and other similar water features shall be fenced in compliance with City-adopted Building Code requirements.
E. 
Screening for Commercial or Industrial Uses Adjacent to Residential Zones. Commercial and industrial uses shall be screened from adjacent residential and agricultural zones by a masonry wall with a minimum height of 7 feet to screen the commercial or industrial use. This requirement is not intended to preclude the development of pedestrian/bicycle access points between commercial and residential or agricultural zones.
F. 
Screening of Loading Docks and Refuse Areas. Loading docks and refuse storage areas shall be screened from public view, 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 and materials.
G. 
Temporary Fences. Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to prohibit the erection of a temporary fence around construction projects in compliance with the Building Code and other applicable provisions of the City Municipal Code.
(Ord. 1501 § 1, 2011)