The purpose of this chapter is to establish requirements pertaining to the height, location and construction of fences, walls, and other barriers on or between properties within the city of Rohnert Park and to establish landscape standards.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

A.

Fences, walls and hedges shall not exceed the maximum heights shown in the following table. Each is followed by a number in parentheses that corresponds to one of the footnotes below the table. See also Section 17.14.040 regarding clear vision triangle restrictions. Fences and walls greater than six feet in height shall require the approval of the building department. Masonry walls of any height shall also require a building permit.

MAXIMUM HEIGHT FOR FENCES,
WALLS AND HEDGES

1.

Front yard fencing. No fence, wall, hedge or screen planting shall exceed a maximum height of three feet in the required front yard setback. All such fences shall be located outside the public right-of-way unless an encroachment permit is issued by the city engineer.

2.

Residential fence height extensions. In residential districts, where there is agreement between adjacent property owners, the fence height of the common fence may be increased to eight feet, provided that the top two feet of such is constructed of open lattice or other non-opaque construction that is of the same material as the remainder of the fence. Residential fences that border a day care operation may be eight feet in height and of a solid construction, as approved by the planning and community development director and building official.

3.

Buffer fencing. When the side or rear yard of a residential lot abuts a commercial, industrial, or multi-family residential property, a six foot masonry wall is required and may extend up to eight feet in height. This does not apply to the repair of an existing residential fence that abuts a commercial, industrial or multi-family property. A masonry sound wall built adjacent to an arterial street or school site may also be eight feet in height, subject to a documented sound study.

4.

Outdoor storage fencing. In commercial and industrial districts, a minimum eight foot high opaque fence or wall, as approved by the planning and community development director shall screen areas used for outdoor storage.

5.

Corner lot fencing. Exterior fences on corner lots may be placed within the required exterior side yard but shall be no less than three feet from the back of the sidewalk and shall be positioned out of the public right-of-way. Where a fire hydrant is present, any fence or wall shall maintain a minimum three foot clearance from said fence or wall. In cases where the fence is to be built in conjunction with a retaining wall, and the wall face is exposed to the street, the fence shall be set back a minimum of three feet from the retaining wall.

6.

Golf course fencing. Rear and/or side yard fencing up to six feet in height may be installed on lots adjacent to the golf course, provided such fencing is a minimum of six inches behind the property line. Protective netting shall be allowed to a height of twenty feet and shall be of a visually nonobtrusive color and design.

Fence Locations

G.

Fence height shall be measured from the grade level of the property line. In the event the ground elevation is not the same on both sides of a fence or wall, the height thereof may be measured from the higher ground elevation.

Fence Height Measurements

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

A.

Barbed wire, razor ribbon and other similar wire attachments shall be prohibited on top of any fence. Electrified fencing shall also be prohibited. Exceptions may be granted by the planning commission based on the security needs of a given property within a commercial or industrial district, provided the applicant can provide documentation supporting the need for such fencing.

B.

Walls between residential and commercial, industrial, or multi-family residential properties shall be of a masonry construction that is architecturally treated on each side. The design of such walls shall be approved by the planning and community development director, the planning commission, or the city council at the time of project review. All masonry walls require a building permit.

C.

Walls surrounding operations involving outdoor storage shall be of an opaque construction, with the design of such walls to be approved by the planning and community development director or by the planning commission or city council at the time of project review.

D.

The design and construction of a fence or wall in a commercial or industrial district shall remain consistent throughout a site, unless otherwise approved by the planning and community development director or by the planning commission or city council at the time of project review.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

Fences, walls, hedges, and other structures or vegetation shall not exceed a height of three feet within a clear vision triangle and the lower portion of tree crowns shall not be less than eight feet within a clear vision triangle. Clear vision triangles shall be delineated as follows:

A.

Uncontrolled intersections: A triangular area bounded by the curb lines (tangents) and a diagonal line joining points on the tangents which are located thirty-five foot back from what would be the point of these curb lines' intersection.

B.

Controlled intersections: A triangle having twenty-five foot tangents at the curblines.

C.

Driveways: A triangle having twenty-five foot tangents at the outside line of the driveway and the curbline.

Clear Vision Triangle

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

Gated communities are strongly discouraged. Fences or walls surrounding a community shall require a conditional use permit from the planning commission and shall meet the height limitations of this section. Such fences or walls shall be constructed of a decorative material approved by the planning commission. Gates crossing access points shall be subject to the approval of the department of public safety and shall not be permitted within the public right-of-way.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

All retaining walls that are adjacent to public streets shall be placed outside the public right-of-way. On commercial and industrial properties, such walls shall be constructed of decorative masonry block or an equivalent material approved by the planning and community development director. All masonry walls shall require a building permit.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

All landscaping and irrigation systems shall be designed, installed and maintained in accord with the standards and requirements of this section, which shall apply to all commercial, industrial, and residential projects requiring site plan and architectural review approval. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the planning and community development director or his/her designee shall:

A.

Verify that landscaping and irrigation has been installed in accordance with the approved plans with respect to size, number and species of plants and adequate water coverage. Security in an amount and form acceptable to the city attorney may be posted for the uncompleted work with the approval of the planning and community development director.

B.

For commercial, industrial, or multi-family projects, require a maintenance agreement with a performance bond (period of one year after issuance of certificate of occupancy) to insure plant establishment and maintenance. Bond shall cover cost of replacing all plant material but may exclude material and labor costs relating to irrigation and hardscape.

C.

Ensure that provisions are included for the permanent maintenance of all planting areas. As used in this section, "maintained" includes watering, weeding, pruning, insect and pest control, and replacement of plant materials and irrigation equipment as needed to preserve the health and appearance of plant materials. Should the planning and community development director determine that landscaping is not being maintained as defined by this subsection and/or the maintenance agreement, the city reserves the right, at the owner's expense, to either undertake itself, or contract for, any and all work necessary to restore landscaping.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

A.

Landscape plans should be prepared by a licensed landscape architect. All landscape plans shall be drawn to scale and be consistent with architectural and civil engineering site plans.

B.

All applications for site plan and architectural review approval shall provide a preliminary landscape plan. This plan shall, at a minimum, illustrate the extent and nature of proposed plantings as well as a proposed plant pallet.

C.

Final landscape and irrigation plans shall be submitted concurrently with architectural, structural, and civil engineering plans when a building permit is requested. No building permit shall be issued for any project governed by the requirements of this section, until final landscape and irrigation plans have been reviewed and approved by the planning and community development director.

1.

Final landscape plans shall identify specific plant materials to be used, providing both common and botanical names, sizes and quantities.

2.

Irrigation plans. Irrigation plans, encouraging drip irrigation systems whenever possible, shall be submitted with development plans and shall contain all construction details for an automatic system including but not limited to, the following:

a.

Location, type and size of lines;

b.

Location, type and gallon output of heads;

c.

Location and sizes of valves;

d.

Location and type of controller;

e.

Installation details;

f.

Location and type of backflow prevention device; and

g.

Available water pressure and water meter outlet size.

D.

Landscape plans shall demonstrate a recognizable pattern or theme for the overall development by choice and location of materials. To accomplish this, landscape plans shall conform to the following:

1.

Plant materials shall be selected for: drought tolerance; adaptability and relationship to the local environment; color, form and pattern; ability to provide shade; soil retention; fire resistance, etc. The use of native landscaping types shall be encouraged. The overall landscape plan shall be integrated with all elements of the project, such as buildings, parking lots and streets, to achieve desirable microclimate and minimize energy demand. Plant materials and landscape design shall be consistent with the Sonoma Water Agency's water conservation guidelines.

2.

Plant materials shall be sized and spaced to achieve immediate effect and shall normally not be less than a fifteen gallon container for trees, five gallon container for specimen shrubs, and a one gallon container for mass planting. Turf areas shall be from sod and ground cover from either one gallon containers or flats. Larger plant materials may be required on a case-by-case basis in order to achieve a more immediate landscape benefit.

3.

Root barriers shall be provided for all trees that are within five feet of the public right-of-way.

4.

Where shrubs or low-level vegetation are used, vegetative matter at maturity shall cover at least seventy-five percent of actual planted area.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

Treatment of natural and man made creeks and drainageways shall conform to Section 17.12.060 of this title.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

The landscaping of parking lots shall be as provided for in Section 17.16.100 of this title.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)