Calimesa City Zoning Code

Front Yard/Side Yard. A fence or wall made of materials which are sight obscuring may be built to a maximum of three feet in any required front/side yard setback area. Double-rail fences, or fences made of materials which are not sight obscuring (at least 75 percent open, such as wrought iron), may be built to a maximum of four feet in any required front/side yard. The fencing along the side yard may slope upward to connect with a higher rear yard fence. The length of a sloped fence section shall not exceed a maximum of 10 feet.

Rear Yard. A fence in a rear yard may be built to a maximum of six feet at the property line so long as it is built outside of the required front yard setback area. For fences or walls constructed within the required minimum setback area (where a main building may be constructed), the maximum freestanding fence height shall be 12 feet, including fencing around private tennis/sport courts.

Corner Lots. A fence not more than six feet high may be constructed in the rear yard, as defined in subsection (A)(1)(b) of this section, adjacent to a public street on a corner lot, if it does not obstruct clear view of intersecting streets as defined in subsection (A)(1)(d) of this section.

Clear Sight Triangle. The height of fences, trees, shrubs, and other visual obstructions shall be limited to a maximum height of 30 inches within the triangular area formed by drawing a straight line:

Grade Differences. Where there is a difference in the grade of the properties on either side of a fence, wall, or other similar structure, the height of the fence shall be measured from the natural grade on the outside edge of the proposed wall or fence of the property upon which it is located. Where the elevation of an adjoining building site is higher than the base of the fence within a side or rear setback area, the height of the fence may be measured from the elevation of the adjoining building site to the top of the fence. For properties that slope upward from the street, retaining walls may be used as a terrace to form planting beds, or a series of planting beds. However, in no case shall any retaining wall exceed the three-foot maximum within the required front yard setback area.

Retaining Walls. Where a retaining wall protects a cut below or a fill above the natural grade and is located on the line separating lots or properties, such retaining wall may be topped by a fence, wall, or hedge of the same height that would otherwise be permitted at the location if no retaining wall existed.

Double Frontage Lots. Each frontage is treated like as the front yard; thus, the same standards that apply in subsection (A)(1)(a) of this section apply to lots with double frontages (lots with frontage onto two streets).

Fire Hydrants and Mailboxes. Fire hydrants and mailboxes shall be accessible from the public streets and may not be enclosed behind fences or shrubs. Shrubs and other screening materials should be kept the minimum distance away from the hydrant as required by the fire code.

Gates. Gates shall be constructed of ornamental iron/tubular steel and/or wood. Such gates may be placed in any location provided they meet the requirements of this section. Wood gates over 36 inches wide shall have a metal frame. Chain-link gates are prohibited. Vehicular driveway gates shall be constructed of ornamental iron/tubular steel and metal if solid. If screening a recreational vehicle, the gate shall be constructed of a solid opaque material.

Split-Rail Fencing. Split two-rail fencing shall be allowed in the front yard or along the front property line with a maximum height of four feet for columns and three feet for the top rail. All columns shall be cemented with footings. Materials for the columns shall be wood, brick, or block. The rails may be either wood or other nonwood products that have the appearance of split rail. A building permit shall be obtained prior to construction.

Adjacent to a Nonresidential Zone or Use. The maximum fence height between a residential zone or use and a nonresidential zone or use shall be six feet.

Agricultural fences, equestrian fences, and fencing for agricultural animals. See exemptions in CMC § 18.65.060.

Fences and Walls within the Front Setback. Fences and walls are discouraged within the required front setback area with the exception to small retaining walls (where needed). However, in no case shall any wall or fence exceed six feet in height within 10 feet from the front property line. The area in front of the fence shall be incorporated into the required landscaping and may be used to screen necessary fences. Any fence that exceeds three feet shall be placed at or beyond the required front setback, or the 10-foot setback, whichever is greater, unless specifically allowed by the zone district standards.

Perimeter Fencing and Walls. Perimeter fences and walls for uses that require such are limited to no more than six feet in height at the property line. If a taller fence or wall is required, the fence must be placed at either the required setback or 10 feet, whichever is greater. The area between the property line and the fence must be incorporated into the overall landscaping of the property, including sufficient landscaping screening materials to mitigate the visual impacts of the taller fence or wall.

Corner Lots. Solid fences and walls shall not exceed six feet in height and shall be set back no less than five feet from the edge of any sidewalk or driveway. The area between the wall and the sidewalk edge or curb edge shall be landscaped with a combination of trees and shrubs sufficient to screen the wall.

Berms. Earthen berms may be used to screen parking areas, mechanical equipment and other appurtenances otherwise visible to the public. Berms shall not exceed two feet in height and shall be sufficiently landscaped or integrated into the overall landscaping plan of a new project. Berms shall be designed with sufficient undulation to provide visual relief and shall meander for the entire length where possible.

Walls that exceed five feet in height and more than 50 feet in length, including retaining walls, shall be required to install metal trellises every 10 feet to break up the monotony of large wall spans between columns. Said trellises shall be fastened or bolted to the wall in a manner that will support planted vines as well as the weight of the trellis.

Acceptable wall materials include stone or brick veneer over block, split-faced masonry block with heavy articulation, stucco over block, or any other approved materials. Decorative split-rail wood fencing may be used where deemed appropriate during the required review process.

In any residential zone district, in locations where it will not be visible from the adjacent public street.

In any residential zone district chain link is allowed in the front or street side yard when it is consistent with the character of the street where the subject property is located.

In the Open Space Residential (O-S-R), Residential Estate (R-E), or Rural Residential (R-R) zone districts, chain link is allowed in the front, street side, side, or rear yards, including in locations where it will be visible from the adjacent public street.