A.

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish requirements for fences, walls, and hedges to ensure that these elements:

1.

Minimize screening of scenic views and sunlight;

2.

Provide adequate buffering between different land uses;

3.

Provide suitable screening of allowable outdoor equipment and activities;

4.

Prevent visual obstructions at street and highway intersections; and

5.

Are designed to provide aesthetic enhancement of commercial and industrial land uses.

B.

Applicability.

1.

All fences, walls, and hedges. The provisions of this section shall apply to all fences, walls, and hedges in Zones:

a.

Single Residential Family (R-1) Chapter 17.16 of the Woodlake Municipal Code.

b.

Multiple Family Residential (RM) Chapter 17.18 of the Woodlake Municipal Code.

c.

Professional Office (PO) Chapter 17.20 of the Woodlake Municipal Code.

2.

Site plan review. Fences and walls for housing projects are subject to site plan review in compliance with Chapter 54 of this title.

3.

Exemptions. These regulations do not apply to fences or walls required by regulations of a State or Federal agency, or by the City for reasons of public safety, or to retaining walls which adjoin land uses.

C.

General height limitations. Fences, walls, and hedges may be erected and properly maintained to the heights identified below and measured from the highest adjoining finish grade.

1.

Front and street side yards three feet maximum height allowed. A fence may be four feet if more than fifty (50) percent of the fencing is see-through.

2.

Rear and Interior side yards wall equal to a minimum of six feet and a maximum of seven feet in height.

D.

Measurement of fence or wall height. Where there is a difference in the ground level (e.g., finish grade) between two adjoining parcels, the height of a fence or wall constructed along the common property line shall be determined by using the highest finish grade.

E.

Walls along arterial and collector streets. If a wall is required, or if the developer of a site located along either an arterial or collector street chooses to install (or is required to install) a wall, the wall shall be installed and maintained in compliance with the following requirements:

1.

Arterial and collector streets. A combination of a landscaped berm and wall equal to a minimum of six feet and seven feet in height.

2.

Wall height. The wall should be a minimum of six feet in height as measured from the highest-grade side.

F.

Allowable fence materials. All fences, constructed or installed within the city shall be limited to the following materials, or combination of materials:

1.

Front and street side yards:

a.

Chain link;

b.

Concrete/block;

c.

Latticework fencing;

d.

Wood; and

e.

Wrought iron.

2.

Rear and Interior side yards:

a.

Concrete/block;

b.

Latticework fencing; and

c.

Wood.

G.

Special fence and wall requirements.

1.

Temporary fencing. Temporary fencing may be necessary to protect archaeological or historic resources and/or trees during site preparation and construction. Temporary fencing for these purposes shall be subject to the review and approval of the director.

2.

Swimming pool enclosure required.

a.

Swimming pools shall be entirely enclosed by structures, fences or walls in compliance with California Government Code Section 115920 - The Swimming Pool Act.

b.

Such fences shall have a minimum height of five feet. Such fences shall be substantial and shall be constructed so there are no openings greater than three inches when all gates are closed. All gates, five feet or less in width, in enclosing fences shall be self-closing and self-latching. All gates greater than five feet in width shall be provided with a means of latching said gate closed. All latches on gates in enclosing fences shall be a minimum of four feet above grade. No pool shall be filled with water until the enclosing fence has been constructed and approved by the building inspector. Surrounding structures, existing fences and gates shall suffice for this requirement if they comply with all requirements of this section as determined by the building inspector.

H.

The city reserves the right to remove, at the expense of the owner of the property or properties enclosed by the fence, any fence in a public easement in any emergency.

( Ord. No. 628 , § 2, 1-13-2020)

A violation of this chapter is not punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor, a violation of this chapter is punishable only by an administrative fine. Any person who violates any provisions of any ordinance enacted by the city, as amended from time to time, or any person who owns property upon which a violation exists, irrespective of whether that person caused the violation, shall be subject to an administrative fine or penalty up to the maximum amounts set forth by Woodlake Municipal Code Section 1.12.070.

Persons cited for violating this chapter may request an administrative appeal hearing as permitted by Woodlake Municipal Code Section 1.12.120.

( Ord. No. 628 , § 2, 1-13-2020)