The purpose of this chapter is to establish development standards and regulations for fences, walls, gates, and screening. The intent of these regulations is to provide for adequate air and light permeability and visibility onto lots, for adequate buffering between and screening of uses and activities, for the mitigation of noise, for the attractiveness of the public realm, and for the safety of the pedestrian realm.
(Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015)
Zoning clearance is required to ensure compliance with relevant provisions of this chapter. A landscaped barrier, such as a hedge or berm, is subject to the regulations of this chapter.
(Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015)
A. 
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. The finished grade shall be that as shown on the approved plan for the site at the time of initial development or existing conditions and/or as determined by the zoning administrator.
B. 
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.
C. 
Retaining walls. When a fence or wall is placed atop a retaining wall, the height shall be measured from the base of the retaining wall (see Figure 17.45-A).
Figure 17.45-A—Measurement of Fence and Wall Height
(Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015; Ord. 2020-002 § 14, 2020)
A. 
Fence location. Fences may be located anywhere within the residential parcel. The height is limited as specified in Figure 17.45-B, Fence Location.
Figure 17.45-B—Fence Location
B. 
Residential areas. Fences and walls located on a residentially zoned parcel shall comply with the following provisions and the dimensional requirements in Table 17.45-A, Residential Fence Standards:
1. 
Wood fences in the rear yard and the portion of the side yard behind the front yard may include a durable wood latticework above a six-foot-high fence that extends the total height to no greater than eight feet, subject to administrative approval. Such added open latticework shall be allowed to prevent views to unattractive storage, improve privacy, and security.
2. 
Fence and wall material shall comply with Table 17.45-C, Fence, Wall, and Gate Materials.
3. 
Landscaping shall not grow over the heights of the fences or walls, or reduce the required transparency.
Table 17.45-A—Residential Fence Standards
Location of Fence, Hedge, or Wall
Maximum Height
Minimum Transparency
Front Yard
3 feet1, 2
0%
Rear or Interior Side Yard
6 feet4
0%5
Corner Side Yard
6 feet3
0%
Corner Lot Vision Triangle5
3 feet
50%
Notes:
1.
Fences permitted to be solid (not open view up to three feet in height).
2.
Gated archways over front yard walkways may exceed height limit, but not to exceed a height of six feet.
3.
Fences may be permitted above six feet with administrative approval, not to exceed a total height of eight feet. Only permitted where needed to block storage, recycling, or other service areas on neighboring properties or when needed to address privacy concerns.
4.
See Figure 17.45-B.
5.
Between commercial and residential zoned properties, see nonresidential requirements.
C. 
Nonresidential areas. Fences or walls on parcels zoned for nonresidential uses shall comply with the following provisions and the dimension standards of Table 17.45-B, Fence Height in Multifamily and Nonresidential Areas:
1. 
For a commercial or industrial project adjacent to a residential parcel, a six-foot-high residential masonry screen wall, finished on both sides, shall be required as a buffer between the project and the residential parcel.
2. 
Fence and wall material shall comply with Table 17.45-C, Fence, Wall, and Gate Materials.
3. 
Landscaping shall not grow over the heights of the fences or walls, or reduce the required transparency.
Table 17.45-B—Fence Height in Multifamily and Nonresidential Areas
Location of Fence, Hedge, or Wall
Maximum Height
Minimum Transparency
Front Yard1
6 feet
50%/90%2
Interior Side Yard
6 feet
0%
Corner Side Yard1
6 feet
50%/90%2
Rear Yard
6 feet
0%
Signaled or Signed Corner Lot Vision Triangle3
3 feet
50%
Required Masonry Residential Screen Wall
6 feet
100%
Notes:
1.
An administrative permit is required for all front yard and corner side yard fences.
2.
For all commercial and industrial properties, the front yard and corner side yard fence may be built to a minimum of ninety percent transparency if necessary to block objectionable views.
3.
See Section 17.46.070, Corner lot vision triangle, for corner lot dimensions.
Figure 17.45-C Fence Height in Multifamily and Nonresidential Areas
(Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015; Ord. 2020-002 § 15, 2020)
Fences and walls shall be structurally sound and built with quality, durable materials, maintained in a vertical position, and kept in good repair.
(Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015)
A. 
The design of residential fences and walls should take into account the residential, commercial, and industrial design guidelines, as maintained by the development services department.
B. 
The entire surface of the fence in any one direction shall be consistent in its use of materials and styles.
C. 
Acceptable, discouraged, and prohibited fence and wall materials are described in Table 17.45-C—Fence, Wall, and Gate Materials.
Table 17.45-C—Fence, Wall, and Gate Materials
Acceptable (unless otherwise prohibited)
Allowed only by an administrative approval
Prohibited
• Masonry walls, plaster, or smooth stucco both sides
• Decorative masonry
• Finished reinforced concrete and concrete block
• Gated and walled residential communities and gated single-family houses with wrought iron or tube-steel picket rolling gates
• Pressure-treated wood and timber
• Wood latticework above solid wood fence
• White wooden pickets for single-family and duplex residential
• Low fences and walls set into berms in commercial and industrial development
• Wrought iron or tube-steel pickets for gates and infill between masonry columns
• Wrought iron or tube-steel pickets with 1-inch pickets up to 6 inches apart
• Stone
• Hedges and other screening vegetation
• Chain link with slats around commercial and industrial projects where the fence is visible from public areas
• Chain link with vinyl coating
• Synthetic stone
• Bare concrete masonry walls
• Chain link in residential zones
• Razor or concertina wire, electrical wire, or other security wire
• Barbed wire
• Plywood or other opaque wooden panels
• Fabric and/or plastic sheeting, as mounted on chain-link fencing
• Other fencing deemed inappropriate by the zoning administrator
(Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015; Ord. 2020-002 § 16, 2020)
All gates for vehicular access to areas used for parking or storage for residential, commercial, or industrial uses shall slide sideways or swing inwardly. If the gates serve commercial or industrial uses, they shall be closed when the premises are not open for business. Folding security gates must be seventy percent transparent and located to the interior of doors and windows.
(Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015)
A. 
Items to be screened. Trash, recycling, food waste, outdoor storage, and utility and service equipment, including satellite receiving dishes, must be located away from primary pedestrian areas, to the side or rear of buildings, or on rooftops. These items shall be enclosed or screened by landscaping, fencing, or other architectural means.
B. 
Design. Screening design shall use the most appropriate materials, including solid wood fencing, masonry walls, and landscaping, to block unattractive items from view. The method of screening shall be architecturally integrated with the primary structure in terms of material, color, shape, and size. The design of screening should take into account the residential, commercial, and industrial design guidelines, as maintained by the planning department.
C. 
Outdoor storage. The storage area shall be surrounded on all sides by a substantial solid and opaque fence or wall six feet in height, unless a higher fence is required or approved by the planning commission. The wall or fence shall be kept in a clean, neat, and painted condition, free of graffiti.
D. 
Service and parking areas. Fences, hedges, berms, and walls intended to screen service areas and parked vehicles in commercial, industrial, and multifamily housing projects shall not exceed three feet in height. At service and parking areas, where commercial development is sited adjacent to residential buildings, attractive screen fencing or walls must be provided along the property line(s). A five-foot planting area must be established adjacent to the screening fence or wall, with trees at a maximum spacing of twenty feet on center.
E. 
Utility and service equipment. Utility and service equipment, including satellite receiving dishes, must be located away from streets and enclosed or screened by landscaping, fencing, or other architectural means. Rooftop equipment must be screened on all sides and must be integrated architecturally.
F. 
Refuse and recycling. Refuse and recycling areas shall be screened as set forth in Chapter 17.58, Refuse Disposal and Recycling.
(Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015)