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 Long Beach
 Municipal Code
 Title 21. ZONING
 Chapter 21.43. FENCES AND GARDEN WALLS

  § 21.43.030. Prohibited fence and wall materials.

Latest version.

  • Barbed wire or similar fencing with sharp, protruding objects capable of cutting or puncturing a person is prohibited, except in the IM, IG, and IP Zones when located atop a fence more than six feet (6′) in height. In all other zones, such objects shall not be attached to, imbedded in, or laid upon any fence or wall. This restriction does not include decorative wrought iron.

    (Ord. C-7360 § 11, 1995: Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)

    Table 43-1
    Fence and Garden Wall Height Limits

    Zone Districts
    		Maximum Permitted Height(a)
    1. Residential
      -Front yard 3 ft. (b), (f)
      -Other yard area 6 ft. 6 in.
      -Outside of required yard area 10 ft.
      -Abutting a nonresidential area 8 ft.
      -Abutting an alley/other public right-of-way other than a street 8 ft. (c)
      -Abutting a major arterial/regional corridor 8 ft. (d)
    2. Commercial and industrial
      -Within required street frontage setback 3 ft. (e)
      -Abutting residential front yard 3 ft.
      -Abutting residential side or rear yard 8 ft.
      -Other yard 12 ft.
    3. Institutional
      -Front yard 3 ft.
      -Other yard area 8 ft.
    4. Park
      -Within ten foot (10′) yard area abutting a public street 6 ft. (g)
      -Other yard 12 ft. (g)
    5. Public right-of-way 8 ft.
    6. All zones—corner cut off area 3 ft.

     

    (a)

    The limitations shall not apply in the following instances:

    i)

    Where a greater height is required by any other City ordinance; or

    ii)

    Where a greater height is required by a conditional approval of a permit pursuant to this Title or is required by State or Federal law; or

    iii)

    Where a wall return of greater height is allowed;

    iv)

    Fence heights shall be measured from grade adjoining the fence on the public right-of-way side of the fence (for fences adjoining the public right-of-way) and the average grade of both sides of the fence (for fences between 2 private properties). Factors such as flood hazard zone heights or averaged lot elevations shall not apply to fences;

    v)

    In corner cutoff areas, chain link and wrought iron fences above three feet (3′) are allowed if they do not obstruct visibility.

    (b)

    In the area designated as the special fence height area, as designated by resolution of City Council, the fence height in the front yard setback shall be increased to four feet (4′), provided the additional foot of height is wrought iron or chain link.

    (c)

    Only applicable for rear and side lines that abut an alley or other public right-of-way other than a street.

    (d)

    Only applicable for a rear property line that abuts a major arterial/regional corridor as designated in the transportation element of the General Plan. Also applicable for side property lines of a reverse corner lot that abuts a major arterial regional corridor, and is in a continuous formation with the rear property lines of the remainder of the block facing the arterial.

    (e)

    Industrially zoned properties may construct a twelve foot (12′) high wrought iron/metal tubing fence within the required street frontage setback area.

    (f)

    Fence height may exceed three feet (3′) in the front yard of residential lots located in high crime areas, through approval of an administrative use permit. (See Section 21.52.231.5 for criteria.)

    (g)

    Fences that exceed these height limits may be approved pursuant to site plan review, Section 21.25.501.

(Ord. C-7607 §§ 13, 16, 1999; Ord. C-7378 § 18, 1995)