Fences

Fences of Palo Alto

16.24.010 Definitions

Throughout this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) Height Measurement. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, height of fences or walls between the setback line and lot line shall be measured from natural grade, as determined by the chief building official.
(b) "Lot line" means any boundary of a lot. Definitions of front, interior, rear, side and street lot lines shall be those contained in Chapter 18.04 of this code.
(c) "Street setback line" means a line established by this code or any ordinance of the city of Palo Alto to govern the placement of buildings with respect to streets and alleys, and shall be measured from the lot line.
(d) Definitions of all "yards" (front, interior, rear, side and street yards) shall be those contained in Chapter 18.04 of this code, or as required by the special setbacks of Chapter 20.08 of this code.
(Ord. 3754 § 1 (part), 1987)

16.24.020 Standard fences - Height and location regulations

(a) Fences Between the Street Setback Line and the Lot Line.

A fence, wall, or other structure in the nature of a fence located between the street setback line and the lot line, shall be permitted up to four feet in height, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. Support posts or columns, not exceeding five feet in height or eighteen inches in width, and pedestrian gates and trellises used as entryway features, not exceeding eight feet in height, three feet in depth or five feet in width shall be permitted.

(b) Fences Beyond Setback Line.

(1) Front Yards and Street Side Yards. A fence, wall, or other structure in the nature of a fence located beyond the street setback line in a front yard or other street side yard shall not exceed six feet in height, except that, where a street setback line exceeds sixteen feet, such fences or walls may be constructed to within sixteen feet of the lot line.
(2) Interior Side Yards and Rear Yards. A fence, wall or other structure in the nature of a fence, located beyond the street setback line in an interior side yard or rear yard, shall not exceed seven feet in height, except that where a street setback line exceeds sixteen feet, such fences or walls may be constructed to within sixteen feet of the lot line.

(c) Fences on University Avenue.

A fence, wall or other structure in the nature of a fence, up to six feet in height, except as otherwise provided in Section 16.24.040, may be located within the front and street side yard setbacks on residential property having street frontage on University Avenue, between Middlefield Road and the eastern city limit, provided that the fence complies with the following:
(1) Fences shall be located on private property, no closer than five feet from the edge of the sidewalk nearest the house;
(2) Structural and decorative posts or columns, not exceeding seven feet in height or eighteen inches in width, and spaced no closer than six feet apart, from center to center, shall be permitted;
(3) The color, material and design of the fence shall be compatible with the architecture of the main dwelling unit on the site;
(4) Screen landscaping and associated irrigation shall be installed and maintained on the street side of the fence;
(5) Fences exceeding four feet in height shall not be located within a triangular area (a "sight distance triangle") measured from a driveway, as shown in Figure 1*. Gates, which when in an open position, are entirely outside of the "sight distance triangle" shall be permitted.
(Ord. 4224 § 1, 1994: Ord. 3754 § 1 (part), 1987)

16.24.030 Special fences - Height and regulations

The following special fences are permitted in accordance with the regulations contained in each subsection:
(a) Fences Around Tennis Courts. Fences not to exceed twelve feet in height may be located around tennis courts, badminton courts, basketball or volleyball courts and similar play areas, providing that all parts of the fence over six feet are made of open wire construction of galvanized steel or other corrosion-resistant material, and that the fences are behind the zoning setback line.
(b) School Fences. School play areas may be fenced to the street line; provided, that the fence is made of open wire construction and does not exceed ten feet in height.
(c) Security Fences. Fences not to exceed eight feet in height may be located around industrial, manufacturing, or research uses where required for security purposes, screening, or containing hazardous materials.
(Ord. 3754 § 1 (part), 1987)

16.24.040 Fences at intersections

A fence, wall or structure in the nature of a fence located at the intersection of any street improved for vehicular traffic, shall not exceed three feet in height above the adjacent curb grade, within a triangular area formed by the curb-lines, and their projection, and a line connecting them at points thirty-five feet from the intersection of the projected curb-lines.
(Ord. 3754 § 1 (part), 1987)

16.24.050 Fences on residential lots abutting frontage roads

Where residential properties abut frontage roads, railroad rights-of-way, industrial or commercial areas, or public property other than a public street, fences of solid board or similar materials may be constructed to a height not to exceed eight feet. The height of such fences behind a sixteen-foot setback line shall be measured from natural grade.
(Ord. 3754 § 1 (part), 1987)

16.24.060 Fences on corner lots

Where corner lots are adjacent to each other with rear yards joining, a six-foot fences permitted on the street side yard lot line at a point beginning fifty feet from the radius point of the corner, except that where a driveway occurs in that area, no fence may be constructed for a clear distance of twelve feet from the point of intersection of driveway and property lines. This provision shall not apply to corner lots whose rear or side yard abuts an interior side yard of an adjacent property. (Ord. 3754 § 1 (part), 1987)

16.24.065 Fences on through lots

On a through lot, a six-foot fence is permitted on the rear lot line. The rear lot line is the property line abutting the street that does not provide the primary access to the lot. (Ord. 4081 § 2, 1992)

16.24.070 Prohibited fences

The following type fences are prohibited and are a nuisance constituting an unsafe and unlawful condition, and may be abated pursuant to Chapter 9.56 of this code:
(a) Barbed wire fences;
(b) All wire, twine or rope fences consisting of one or more strands of wire, twine or rope less than three feet in height and within three feet of any public sidewalk. (Ord. 3754 § 1 (part), 1987)

16.24.080 Violations - Penalty - Enforcement

(a) No person shall erect, construct or maintain any fence, wall or structure in the nature of a fence which does not meet the requirements of this section.
(b) Violation of any provision of this chapter is an infraction, punishable as provided in this code. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense and may be separately punished.
(c) Persons employed in the following designated employee positions are authorized to exercise the authority provided in Penal Code Section 836.5 and are authorized to issue citations for violations of this chapter: chief building official, assistant building official and code enforcement officer.
(Ord. 4305 § 8, 1995: Ord. 3754 § 1 (part), 1987)

16.24.090 Variances

A variance to any of the requirements of this chapter may be granted in accordance with the provisions and procedures set forth in Chapters 18.90 and 18.92 of this code, except that no variance may be granted to the requirements contained in Section 16.24.040 or 16.24.070. Application submittal requirements and fees shall be the same as for a zoning variance application, as set forth in Chapter 18.90 of this code and in the municipal fee schedule. (Ord. 3754 § 1 (part), 1987)