Ordinance - 2047ORDINANCE NO. 2047
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF
CHAPTER 26 (ZONING) OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATED TO STANDARDS FOR FENCE HEIGHTS IN THE "SINGLE-
FAMILY RESIDENTIAL" (R-1) AND °RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURAL"
(R-A) ZONES (CODE AMENDMENT NO. 292)
WHEREAS, the West Covina Municipal Code regulates the location and heights of walls,
fences, and hedges in single-family residential zones; and
WHEREAS, walls and fences in the rear yard areas of single-family residences help to
provide private recreational areas for residents; and
WHEREAS, the current height limit of six feet for walls and fences in some cases does not
provide for desired privacy and security, and under certain circumstances, slightly higher walls and
fences may be acceptable and appropriate; and
WHEREAS, the administrative use permit process will allow the City to evaluate requests
for increases in. fence or wall height wall on grounds including the need to provide privacy and
security, the protection of access to light and views, and architectural compatibility; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, upon giving the required notice, did on the 14°i day
of December, 1999, conduct a duly advertised public hearing as prescribed by law, at which time.
the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 12-99-4566 recommending that the City Council
adopt Code Amendment No. 292; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered evidence presented by the Planning Commission,
Planning Division, and other interested parties at a duly advertised public hearing on the 4`1 day of
January 2000; and
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of West Covina hereby ordains as
follows:
SECTION NO 1: Based on the evidence and the findings set forth, Code Amendment No. 292 is
hereby found to be consistent with the West Covina General Plan and the implementation thereof.
SECTION NO. 2: Because this project can not have a significant impact on the environment and it
is exempt from the provisions of CEQA as set forth in Section 15061 (b)(3) of the California
Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA).
SECTION NO. 3: The City Council of the City of West Covina hereby amends Chapter 26
(Zoning) of the West Covina Municipal Code as follows:
Section 26-206 (d)(1)(a) shall be amended as follows:
See.26-206. Notices.
(d)(I)a. 100 foot noticing radius: Notices shall be mailed to the property owners and occupants of the
subject site and all properties located within a radius of one hundred (100) feet of the exterior
. boundaries of the subject site for: large family day care homes, miniature potbellied pigs, sign
exception review, outdoor uses within the outdoor uses overlay zone, and wall and fence height
increases.
Section 26-413 shall be amended as follows:
Sec. 26-413. Wall, fence or hedge permitted.
(a) Within required front yard. Except as otherwise stated below, walls, fences, and hedges within
the required front yard shall not exceed a maximum height of 42 inches (3 feet, 6 inches).
CAW INDOW S\TEtW\CA 292 CC ord -pro) osW doc
Publlsw 31m%aoo
Ordinance No.
Code Amendment No. 292
Walls/Fence in R-A/R-1 Zones
January 4, 2000 - Page 2
Nonsolid walls and fences in excess of 42 inches and up to a maximum height of six (6) feet
may be erected provided that the portion in excess of 42 inches shall be constructed of
. decorative wood, wrought iron, tubular steel, or like material such that at least 70 percent of the
plane of the fence or wall in excess of 42 inches in height is open. Columns, posts, and pillars
may be incorporated into the design of the fence or wall if the requirement for visibility is met.
1. Driveway cutback area. No wall, fence, or hedge shall be permitted within a triangular area
formed by one line extending along the edge of a driveway for the first ten (10) feet inward
from the front property line, one line extending along the front property line for the first ten
(10) feet outward from the edge of a driveway, and a diagonal line connecting the two lines.
This restriction shall apply to all portions of the triangular area encompassing the subject
and any adjoining properties.
2. Corner cutback area. On comer lots, walls, fences, hedges, trees, or other physical
obstructions shall not exceed a maximum height of 36 inches (3 feet) within a triangular
area formed by lines extending 15 feet along the front and side property lines from the
intersecting point of the front property line and street side property line, and a diagonal line
connecting the two lines.
3. Where more than one of the above standards apply to the same area, the more restrictive
standard shall apply.
B. Within areas other than required front yard Walls, fences, and hedges within areas other than
the required front yard shall not exceed a maximum height of six (6) feet, with the exception
that walls, fences, and hedges in excess of six (6) feet and up to a maximum height of seven (7)
feet may be permitted subject to approval of an administrative use permit pursuant to the
provisions of Section 26-270 through 26-274. Such walls and fences in excess of six (6) feet
shall require the issuance of a building permit.
1. Findings. Before an administrative use permit may be granted for a wall, fence, or hedge in
excess of six (6) feet, the following findings shall be made:
(i) That the proposed wall, fence, or hedge is needed to provide safety, security,
and/or privacy for the subject property.
(ii) That the proposed wall, fence, or hedge will not unreasonably disrupt access
to light and views or otherwise infringe upon the use and enjoyment of
adjacent properties.
(iii) That the proposed wall or fence has been designed in an architecturally
integrated manner and utilizes materials that are complimentary to and
compatible with the surrounding area.
C. Adjacent to arterial streets. For single-family residential lots, walls, fences, and hedges along
the side and rear property lines adjacent to the rights -of -way of streets designated as principal or
minor arterials on the master plan of streets and highways shall be permitted up to a maximum
height of eight (8) feet, provided that walls, fences, and hedges in such locations shall also be
subject to the height restrictions contained in subsection (a) above, where applicable. Such
walls and fences in excess of six (6) feet shall require the issuance of a building permit. In
• locations described above, a masonry wall eight (8) feet in height shall be required on lots for
which building permits for new single-family residences are obtained after 1989.
D. Construction material. All walls and fences shall be constructed of appropriate and durable
materials, such as wood, wrought iron, tubular steel, concrete, brick, stone, or similar material.
Materials of poor quality or unattractive appearance, such as unfinished plywood, fiberglass,
corrugated metals, and bare metal wire (whether barbed, razor, or smooth) shall be prohibited.
The use of chain link fencing material shall be prohibited within the required front yard area.
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Ordinance No.
Code Amendment No. 292
Walls/Fence in R-A/R-1 Zones
January 4, 2000 - Page 3
E. Maintenance. Maintenance and repair of all walls and fences adjacent to street rights -of -way
relating to aesthetics and structural safety, such as paint, mortar, loose blocks, or damaged
sections, shall be the sole responsibility of the owner of the property on which the wall is
•� ' located. Graffiti removal shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 15, article V of the West
Covina Municipal Code.
SECTION NO. 4: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and shall
cause the same to be published as required by law.
PASSED AND APPROVED on this 18" day of January 2000.
ay'
ATTEST:
City CIC61
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
CITY OF WEST COVINA )
I, Janet Berry, City Clerk of the City of West Covina, do hereby certify that the foregoing
Ordinance No. 2047 was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at a regular meeting
of the City Council on the 4°i day of January 2000. That, thereafter, said Ordinance was duly
adopted and passed at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 18" day of January, 2000.
AYES: Herfert, Melendez, Touhey, Wong, Howard
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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