A "fence" shall be defined as a structure that provides a minimum of 80 percent light and visibility along its entire vertical plane. Anything less than 80 percent shall be considered a wall.
(Ord. 806 § 1, 2007)
A "hedge" shall be defined as any plant/tree providing less than 80 percent light and visibility a minimum of six feet from the ground up similar to a wall.
(Ord. 806 § 1, 2007)
A. 
Maximum Fence, Wall and Hedge Height in Required Side and Rear Yards.
1. 
Fences, walls and hedges erected within required side or rear yards of an interior lot or parcel of land, or the side yard along the interior side lot line of a corner or reversed corner lot or parcel of land, shall not exceed the maximum height permitted below, unless an ordinance, statute, or other law requires that the fence be constructed to a greater height:
a. 
Six feet if constructed with a permitted fencing material.
b. 
Eight feet if constructed so that any fencing exceeding the height of six feet is constructed of decorative wrought iron, and permitted only on block walls and wrought iron fences.
2. 
Walls and hedges, excluding fences, erected within a required rear or side yard on the street-side of a corner or reversed corner lot or parcel of land shall not exceed the maximum height below:
a. 
Forty-two inches if within five feet of the side yard line and built of a permitted fencing material.
b. 
Six feet if within five feet of the side yard line and built of a permitted fencing material; provided, that any portion of the fence exceeding 42 inches must be made exclusively of decorative wrought iron.
c. 
Six feet if located within a required rear or side yard and five feet or more from the side lot line.
d. 
Eight feet if located within a required rear or side yard and five feet or more from the side lot line; provided, that any portion of the fence exceeding six feet must be made exclusively of decorative wrought iron.
B. 
Maximum Fence, Wall and Hedge Height in Required Front Yards.
1. 
Except as otherwise permitted in this code, walls shall not exceed a height of 42 inches when located within the required front yard in any zone. However, a combination wall/fence may be constructed up to five feet in height; provided, that the wall area is no more than 24 inches high and the remainder consists of a fence as defined in BGMC § 9.32.010.
2. 
Chain-link fences, which do not obstruct view, shall not exceed a height of 48 inches when located within the required front yard in any zone. Any climbing vine or other similar vegetation, wood, metal or slats of other material or any solid covering on the fence shall not exceed 42 inches in height. Pilasters constructed with fences shall be permitted, provided they meet the 80 percent light and visibility standard for a fence and are no less than 12 inches and no wider than 16 inches.
(Ord. 806 § 1, 2007)
A barrier wall not to exceed seven feet in height, serving to separate an area including several lots or parcels of land from the adjoining street or highway, may be established within five feet of a street or highway, provided said wall is approved by the planning commission and is erected in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9.58 BGMC, Site Plan Review.
(Ord. 806 § 1, 2007)
The applicant shall submit a plot plan for any proposed wall or fence to the planning division and building and safety division for review and approval. The plot plan shall include all property dimensions, outlines of existing structures, location of all driveways and streets, and any other access onto the property, and shall clearly delineate the proposed fences and/or walls. An elevation of the proposed fence or wall with height measurements shall also be included.
(Ord. 806 § 1, 2007)
The planning commission may, without notice or hearing, grant a modification of fence, wall or hedge regulations for:
A. 
Sites occupied by an agency of the federal, state, county or city government; or
B. 
Where required by any other ordinance, statute or law, or regulation of the state of California or any other agency where such regulation exceeds the minimum standards of this chapter; or
C. 
Where topographic features, subdivision plans, or other conditions create an unnecessary hardship or unreasonable situation making it impractical to require compliance with the fence, wall or hedge provisions.
(Ord. 806 § 1, 2007)
A. 
For the purpose of this chapter, "permitted fencing material" shall mean the following:
1. 
Finished concrete block (i.e., painted, slump stone, etc.).
2. 
Decorative wrought iron.
3. 
Decorative picket.
4. 
Chain-link.
B. 
Razor and barbed wire shall be prohibited in all zones.
C. 
All material must be compatible with the scale and architecture of the site and surroundings. The determination of compatibility shall be left to the discretion of the community development director unless otherwise appealed.
(Ord. 806 § 1, 2007)
All masonry walls constructed under the provisions of these zoning regulations shall be subject to the following minimum development standards:
A. 
New wall construction on all property subject to the city's jurisdiction must be approved by the city planner.
B. 
If more than 50 percent of a wall is proposed to be replaced, the standards of this section shall apply.
C. 
All new walls must be constructed of decorative masonry (e.g., split face, slump stone, etc.) or painted to complement the structures on the site to the satisfaction of the city planner.
D. 
All walls must have a decorative cap.
E. 
Decorative pilasters or other forms of articulation (e.g., insets, landscaped pockets, etc.) must be provided for a minimum of every 15 feet of continuous wall that is visible from a public right-of-way or park.
F. 
All new residential subdivisions and commercial and industrial development shall be required to have masonry perimeter walls, which shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.
G. 
Whenever a conflict between these provisions and those of the California Building Code occurs, the most stringent regulations shall apply.
(Ord. 806 § 1, 2007)