§ 9606.2. Fences and walls.

Fences and walls may be erected and maintained in required yards subject to the following requirements:

A.

Front yards. Fences and walls within a required front yard shall not exceed a height of three and one-half (3.5) feet.

B.

Corner side yards. Fences and walls within a required corner side yard shall not exceed three and one-half (3.5) feet in height on the property line, nor exceed six (6) feet in height when located five (5) feet or more from said property line.

C.

Interior side and rear yards. Fences and walls within a required interior side or rear yard shall not exceed six (6) feet in height except where residentially zoned properties abut commercially zoned properties, in which case, fences and walls within a required side or rear yard shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height. Notwithstanding the above, on the street or highway side of a corner lot, fences and walls shall be subject to the same requirements as for a corner side yard.

D.

Retaining walls. Retaining walls not to exceed six (6) feet in height are permitted in all yards.

E.

Retaining walls topped with walls or fences.

1.

Where a retaining wall protects a cut below the natural grade and is located on a front, side or rear lot line, such retaining wall may be topped by a fence or wall not to exceed six (6) feet in height measured from the highest natural grade. Where such retaining wall contains a fill, the height of the retaining wall built to retain the fill shall be considered as contributing to the permissible height of a fence or wall; providing, however, that in any event an open work, non-view-obstructing fence of three (3) feet may be erected at the top of the retaining wall for safety protection. In those instances where the safety fence is utilized for corral purposes, the safety fence can be increased to a maximum four and one-half (4.5) feet in height subject to the review and approval [of] an administrative site plan review by the director of planning and community development. The director's review shall include but not be limited to, impact to surrounding properties, drainage, screening, dust control, and setbacks.

F.

Tennis court fences. Tennis court fences erected outside of any required yard setback may not exceed a height of twelve (12) feet.

G.

Fences and walls exempted. Where a fence or wall exceeding the heights specified is required by any law or regulation of the State of California, a fence or wall not exceeding such required height is permitted.

H.

Measurement of fence and wall height. The height of a fence or wall shall be measured at the highest average ground level within three (3) feet of either side of said wall or fence. In order to allow for variation in topography, the height of a required fence or wall may vary by an amount up to six (6) inches; provided, however, that in no event shall the average height of such fence or wall exceed the maximum height specified.

I.

Fences or walls. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the director may permit fences or walls within any required yard on flag lots or lots fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet or larger to a height not to exceed six (6) feet. However, higher fences shall only be permitted in any required front or street side yard when it can be demonstrated that it will be sufficiently open to preserve adequate visibility of vehicles entering and leaving said property.

(Ord. No. 132, § 8, 8-26-87; Ord. No. 147, §§ 1, 2, 3-23-88; Ord. No. 224, § 2, 3-24-93)