The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations for fences and hedges that promote privacy, security and screening of certain uses from streets and other uses, while minimizing obstruction of views, light, air, and motorists' and pedestrians' vision, without negatively affecting the community or endangering public or vehicle safety.
(Ord. 1063, Sec. 2 (Exh. B), 2019)
(a) 
Fence or hedge height shall be measured as the vertical distance between the finished grade at the base of the fence or hedge to the top edge of the fence material or hedge.
(b) 
Solid fences may be a maximum height of four feet within required front yard setbacks. Open fences as detailed in Section 14.52.050 are allowed up to six feet high within the front setback.
(c) 
Solid hedges may be a maximum height of four feet within required front yard setbacks; there is no height limit in other areas of a property, if the sight triangle is maintained.
(d) 
All fences in residential zones are allowed up to a maximum height of six feet within required exterior side or rear yard setbacks subject to Section 14.52.030.
(e) 
If the fence includes a gate or similar feature, a vehicle refuge area shall be provided within the driveway to avoid blocking the street. The vehicle refuge area shall have a length that is sufficient for a waiting vehicle and not block the street.
(f) 
No fence or freestanding wall shall be placed closer than three feet to any fire hydrant or utility cabinet.
Table 14.52–I
Fence Height Regulations - Based on Use and Orientation
Lot Type
Setback Location
Front
Side
Rear
Residential
Standard Lot
4 feet (solid fencing and hedges)
6 feet (open fencing)
6 feet1
6 feet1
Corner Lot
4 feet (solid fencing and hedges)
6 feet (open fencing)
6 feet1
6 feet1
Double-Fronting (Through) Lot
4 feet (solid fencing and hedges)
6 feet (open fencing)
6 feet1
6 feet1
Commercial/Industrial/Public
Commercial
4 feet (solid fencing and hedges)
6 feet (open fencing)
10 feet
10 feet
Industrial
10 feet
10 feet
10 feet
Public/Utility
6 feet (open fencing)
8 feet
8 feet
Notes:
1. Height can go to seven feet if the top foot is open fencing or ornamental, per Section 14.52.050.
(Ord. 1063, Sec. 2 (Exh. B), 2019)
(a) 
Screening Options along Streets with Continuous Fencing. Where 80 feet or more of continuous fencing abuts a public sidewalk or trail, landscaping shall be required between the fence and the property line to mitigate the aesthetic impacts using one of the following:
(1) 
Installation of a three-foot landscape buffer between a solid fence over four feet high. The landscape buffer/planter strip shall be a Type C screen per Section 14.76.040 comprised of a combination of trees and shrubs and/or ground cover based on available space; or
(2) 
Where planter strips are required along local access and collector roads, constructed as part of new subdivisions, the planter strip may be reversed with the sidewalk, so that the planter strip is adjacent to the property line and outside of the right-of-way.
(b) 
No landscape setback is required between an open fence and sidewalk when the fencing is comprised of materials such as wrought iron, wood fences with wide openings, vinyl coated chain-link or other similar materials that have 60 percent open space between the ground surface and the top of the fence as illustrated below:
Examples of Open Fencing
Figure 1
Chain-Link Fencing
Figure 2
Hog Wire Fencing
Figure 3
Picket Fencing
Figure 4
Wrought Iron Fencing
(c) 
Allowed ornamental fencing features may include open trellises, arbors, decorative caps or similar ornamental features.
(d) 
Barbed Wire and Electric Fences.
(1) 
Barbed wire is permitted on top of a solid or chain-link fence for commercial, industrial, utility and public uses when needed for security as part of the overall fence height, so long as the barbed wire is positioned in such a way that it leans inward towards the enclosed area. Barbed wire use in residential zones to control livestock will be considered with an approved pasture plan. Razor/concertina wire is not allowed.
(2) 
Electric fences are not allowed, except in residential zones to control livestock electric fences will be considered with an approved pasture plan.
(Ord. 1063, Sec. 2 (Exh. B), 2019)
(a) 
The director or designee may allow modifications, per Section 14.16C.120, to fences that do not conform to the regulations of this chapter or in the following situations if the Director finds that such fences are needed to protect the public health and safety:
(1) 
Outdoor recreation establishments or park and recreation facilities; or
(2) 
To prohibit illegal dumping; or
(3) 
Where the finished grade is a different elevation on either side of a fence the height may be measured from the side having the highest elevation.
(b) 
As part of approving fences under this section, the Director may impose conditions or limitations on fences allowed under this section to ensure that such fences conform with the purpose and intent of this chapter and this title.
(Ord. 1063, Sec. 2 (Exh. B), 2019)