17.46.030 Development Standards.
A. Maximum Allowed Heights. Fences and walls shall not exceed the maximum heights shown in Table 17.46.030-1 (Maximum Height of Fences and Walls).
|
Location of Fence/Wall |
Maximum Height1 |
|---|---|
|
Generally along all property lines, unless otherwise indicated below |
6 feet |
|
Coincident to Town boundary1 |
8 feet |
|
Along lot lines adjoining a public or private school or the railroad right-of-way |
8 feet |
|
Along regulated streets2 |
6 feet/8 feet2 |
|
At front lot line or along public streets |
6 feet |
|
At street intersections within clear visibility area: see chapter 17.60 |
3 feet |
|
Retaining walls3 |
6 feet |
|
Wing walls4 on other parts of a lot |
6 feet |
|
Interior fences or walls |
6 feet |
Notes:
1Lot boundaries coincident to the town’s boundary but facing a street shall be a maximum of six feet high.
2On those lots adjoining any of the following streets, a fence or wall may be constructed to a height of six feet above the elevation of the natural grade upon which it stands or eight feet above the elevation of the centerline of the adjacent pavement or such boundary, whichever is higher:
a. El Camino Real.
b. Marsh Road.
c. Middlefield Road.
d. Valparaiso Avenue.
e. Alameda de la Pulgas.
f. Bay Road.
g. Ringwood Avenue.
3Excludes basements and underground driveway approaches.
4Wing walls are walls of buildings that extend past the eave. They do not provide support to the building. See figure 17.46.030-1 (Wing Walls).
Figure 17.46.030-1. Wing Walls
B. Height Measurement. In all areas except for the required clear visibility area, fence height shall be measured from the natural grade at the base of the fence to the uppermost part of fence. Within the clear visibility area, fence height shall be measured from surface of the closest adjoining pavement to uppermost portion of the fence.
C. Fence/Wall Design Compatibility. In considering whether to issue a permit for such a fence or wall, the town planner shall ensure that it can meet each and all of the following criteria:
1. Uniform Design and Appearance. With the exception of renovations and additions to the portion of Lindenwood Wall located along Middlefield Road, any fence or wall shall be of uniform design, construction, and appearance. A fence or wall shall be constructed from the ground level, unless it is an addition to the top of an existing fence or wall. An addition shall be of the same design and feature the same material(s) and color(s) as the existing fence or wall, ensuring that the resulting fence or wall shall appear to have been constructed as a single project.
2. Landscape Requirements. A fence or wall greater than six feet in height shall be shielded from the public view by plants installed at the time of construction. The selected species shall reach the height of the fence or wall within three years of planting.
D. Retaining Walls. Retaining walls shall be located no closer than five feet from any property line. Except for basements and underground driveway approaches, the maximum height of the retaining walls shall not exceed six feet solid wall construction, with a maximum three-foot-high safety fence on top. A safety fence guard rail shall be placed on top of a retaining wall with a minimum height of forty inches where the edge of the wall is part of a pedestrian path. The safety fence shall be substantially open to light and air in compliance with applicable safety codes. Retaining walls shall be constructed no closer than twenty feet from one another on the same property, except that for every one-foot decrease in height of the retaining wall from the six-foot maximum, the minimum spacing may be reduced by four feet, provided the next closest retaining wall is of the same or shorter height. For example, a five-foot-tall retaining wall may be located sixteen feet from another retaining wall five feet tall or less. However, upon issuance of a special structures permit, the designated approving authority (the planning commission as described in Table 17.06.070-1) may allow for taller retaining walls or retaining walls located less than twenty feet apart. (Ord. 582 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2009)