Chapter 19.550, Sections 19.550.010-19.550.070

Fencing & walls

• Maximum combined freestanding and retaining wall heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. in side/rear yards10 ft

  In side and rear yard areas, combined freestanding and retaining walls and fences shall not exceed ten feet in height provided the retaining portion does not exceed three feet if exposed to public view or six feet if not exposed to public view.

• Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. of electrified security fence10 ft

  Monitored electrified security fence systems shall have a maximum height of ten feet.

• Electrified security fence placement

  Monitored electrified security fence systems shall be installed four to eight inches behind a minimum five-foot-high non-electrified perimeter fence/wall.

• Electrified security fence prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. zones

  Monitored electrified security fence systems are prohibited in all residential, mixed-use, and public facilities zoning districts.

• Maximum freestanding wall heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. outside required setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line.6 ft

  Free standing walls outside of any required setback area shall not exceed six feet in height, except as provided in subsection D below.

• Maximum front yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. in RA-5, RC, RR, RE zones6 ft

  In the RA-5, RC, RR and RE Zones, any fence or wall in the required front yard setback may be up to six feet in height, provided that the openwork portion of the fence or wall above a height of three feet shall be no more than one part solid to three parts open with no portion of the solid wall, excluding pilasters, extending above three feet.

• Maximum front yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. in all other zones4 ft

  In all other zones, front yard fences or walls shall not exceed four feet in height provided that the openwork portion of the fence or wall above a height of three feet shall be no more than one part solid to three parts open with no portion of the solid wall, excluding pilasters, extending above three feet.

• Wall material for new single-familySingle-family dwellingOne dwelling unit on its own lot, usually detached from its neighbours. construction along street yards

  For any new construction of a single-family residence, any wall along a street rear yard, street side yard or front yard between the house and the side yard shall be constructed of decorative masonry or a similar material subject to the approval of the Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee.

• ProhibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. fence materials

  Fences or walls containing razor wire (visible to a public right-of-way, alley or parking lot), or barbed wire shall be prohibited.

• Maximum side/rear yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. in all other zones6 ft

  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, fences and walls separating side and rear yards in all other Zones shall not exceed six feet in height.

• Maximum side/rear yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. in Single-FamilySingle-family dwellingOne dwelling unit on its own lot, usually detached from its neighbours. Residential Zones7 ft

  Fences and walls separating side and rear yards in the Single-Family Residential Zones may extend up to seven feet in height provided the fence or wall is not visible from the public right-of-way.

• Maximum side/rear yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. where SFR abuts other zone8 ft

  Where a property in a Single-Family Residential Zone abuts a property in any other Zone, fences and walls separating side and rear yards may extend up to eight feet in height provided the fence or wall is not visible from the public right-of-way.

• Maximum fence/wall heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. in clear cross-visibility area3 ft

  a clear cross-visibility area shall be maintained at the intersection of the public rights-of-way, unobstructed by any fence or wall taller than three feet above the street grade.

• Maximum tennis court fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.12 ft

  The fencing around tennis courts along rear and interior side yards shall not exceed 12 feet in height and must be partially open above six feet in height subject to approval of the Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee.

• Maximum wall heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. adjacent to railroads, freeways, flood control channels8 ft

  Walls adjacent to railroads, freeways, and flood control channels may extend up to eight feet in height.