Millbrae City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XX
Accessory Structures
§ 10.05.2000 Accessory buildings.
Accessory buildings shall not be constructed prior to the construction of the main building. Where an accessory structure is attached to the main building, it shall be made structurally a part of and have a common roof and wall with the main building, and shall comply in all respects with the requirements of this chapter applicable to the main building.
A.
Additional Development Standards in "R" Districts.
1.
Detached accessory buildings shall be located in the rear one-half of the lot area.
2.
Detached accessory buildings shall be located at least ten feet from any dwelling existing or under construction on the same lot, or any abutting lot.
3.
Accessory buildings shall not be located within five feet of any property line of the lot or any alley.
4.
On corner lots, accessory buildings shall not project beyond the required or existing front yard of the abutting lot.
5.
The maximum height of an accessory building shall be twelve feet.
(Formerly 10.05.1140; 1966 Code § 8340; 1976 Code § 10-1.813; Ord. 436 § 4; Amended by Ord. 246 § 2 ; Ord. 231; Ord. 726 § 2 (Att. A))
§ 10.05.2010 Fences, walls, and dense planting.
On-premises fences, walls, fence/wall combinations, and dense planting may be erected and maintained in any district subject to the following:
A.
Height Limits. Fences, walls, fence/wall combinations, and dense planting shall not exceed the height limits set forth in Table 2 below.
1.
Measurement of Height. Height shall be measured from finished grade. For fences, walls, and dense planting which face a street or alley, the measurement shall be taken on the side facing the street or alley. In all other cases, the highest adjoining level of finished grade shall be used. Measured height shall include the exposed portion of any retaining wall. No portion of a fence, wall, or planting may exceed the maximum permitted height unless a fence exception or administrative approval pursuant to subsections D (Fence Exceptions) and E (Review Required) of this section is first obtained.
Table 2 – Height of Fences, Walls, and Dense Planting | |
|---|---|
Yards | Height (feet)b |
Within required front yards(a) | 2.5'(c) |
Within required side and rear yards abutting a street or alley(a) | 2.5'(c) |
Within exterior yard on the rear 30 feet of a corner lot which abuts a side fronting lot(e) | 2.5'(c) |
Within the corner setback area(d) | 2.5' |
Within required side and rear yard not abutting a street or alley | 6.0'(c) |
Fences outside of required yards | |
– Facing any street or alley | 6.0'(c) |
– All others | 8.0'(c) |
Notes: |
|---|
(a) Additional Setback Required. Any solid fence or wall over twelve inches in height shall provide and maintain a minimum of two feet of live landscaping abutting a street or alley. |
(b) See subsection (A)(1) of this section for measurement of height. |
(c) Additional Height Permitted. Support posts, columns or gates, not exceeding an additional six inches in height, and/or supported decorative ornaments or light fixtures, not exceeding an additional twelve inches in height, shall be permitted (maximum of eighteen inches if both are used) provided posts and/or columns are spaced at least six feet apart on center. |
(e) See subsection D of this section for additional setback requirements. |
B.
Prohibited Fences and Materials. The following fences are prohibited:
1.
Chain link fences and gates on residential properties within the front yard and within any side or rear yards facing a street or alley.
2.
Electrically charged fences.
3.
Barbed wire, razor wire, or similar fencing on residential properties. This restriction does not include wrought iron or similar decorative fencing.
4.
Any fence over, or within three feet of, any utility or public utility easement unless an encroachment permit is first obtained.
C.
Conditional Fences and Materials. Security fences containing barbed or razor wire, while discouraged, may be permitted on nonresidential properties subject to obtaining a zoning permit issued administratively by the community development department and appealable to the planning commission. Design review shall be conducted pursuant to standards adopted by the city council. The community development department may require public noticing of such zoning permit, as appropriate.
D.
Fence Exceptions. An exception to any of the requirements of this section may be granted in accordance with the provisions and procedures for obtaining a fence exception as set forth in Article XXV of this chapter, if the findings listed below are made, except that life safety exceptions required for compliance with the Uniform Building Code may be granted administratively by the community development department following design review, no exception may be granted to the requirements of subsection B of this section (Prohibited Fences and Materials), and noticing may be reduced to a one-hundred-foot radius. An application for a fence exception shall be accompanied by a fee, set by the city council, and include detailed plans, list of materials and justification of need for the proposed use, and findings as stated below.
Fences taller than prescribed in Table 2 may be approved by the planning commission upon presentation of a fence exception, subject to the following findings:
1.
The resulting fence or wall shall not obstruct the visibility of pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorists from adjacent streets, alleys or driveways;
2.
The fence or wall height, location, and design are in scale and harmonious with the character of the neighborhood;
3.
Granting the exception will not be materially detrimental to other property in the neighborhood in which the fence or wall is located; and
4.
The fence or wall is not inconsistent with any policies of the city's General Plan.
E.
Review Required. The decision whether the fence, wall, or dense planting will meet the intent of the prescribed standards of this section shall be made by the community development department staff in the plan-check process and may require detailed plans. Any application for a planning commission fence exception shall require architectural review. Architectural review, when necessary, shall be conducted pursuant to standards adopted by the city council.
(Formerly 10.05.1100; 1966 Code § 8320; 1976 Code § 10-1.809; Ord. 650 § 5; Amended by Ord. 429 § 1 ; Ord. 231; Ord. 726 § 2 (Att. A))