Selma's comprehensive fence requirements under SMC 11-20-14 establish a detailed regulatory framework covering height limits by yard location, material restrictions by zoning district, special provisions for commercial-residential buffer interfaces, and standards for screening outdoor storage. The ordinance requires a six-foot solid masonry wall at the boundary between any area zoned C (Commercial), M (Manufacturing), or R-O (Residential-Office) and any adjacent residential area, serving as a noise and visual buffer that must be installed by the developer at the time of construction. In residential zones, standard fences may be up to six feet in side and rear yards, while front yards are limited to 48 inches for open fences and 42 inches for solid walls to maintain neighborhood visibility and streetscape character. Gates are included in the definition of fences, walls, and hedges and are subject to the same height restrictions as the fence they serve. Corner lot properties must comply with sight triangle visibility requirements at intersections, limiting fence height to 42 inches or less within the designated sight area. The 2024 Zoning Code Update consolidated and modernized fence standards, incorporating new provisions for screening requirements, RV storage enclosures, and updated development standards that work in conjunction with the existing SMC 11-20-14 framework.
SMC 11-20-14 provides the primary regulatory framework for all fences, walls, and hedges in the City of Selma, addressing height limits, materials, special development requirements, and zone-specific provisions. The ordinance applies to all fence types including wood, masonry, vinyl, chain-link, wrought iron, and hedges or shrubs that serve a fencing function, ensuring consistent standards regardless of construction method. The height standards create a tiered system based on the location of the fence within the property's setback structure. In required front yards, the code distinguishes between open fences, which allow substantial visibility through them, and solid fences, which block the view. Open fences and shrubs in the front yard may not exceed 48 inches, while solid walls and fences may not exceed 42 inches. This six-inch differential incentivizes more transparent fencing in front yards to preserve neighborhood character and pedestrian-level visibility. In side and rear yards, fences may be up to six feet in height regardless of whether they are open or solid in design. The required masonry wall at commercial-residential and industrial-residential interfaces is one of the most consequential provisions in the fence ordinance. When any area zoned C, M, or R-O is developed adjacent to a residential zone, the developer of the commercial or industrial property must install a six-foot solid masonry wall along the shared boundary at the time of construction. This wall serves multiple functions: it attenuates noise from commercial and industrial operations, blocks headlights and commercial lighting from intruding into residential areas, provides visual screening of commercial activities, and creates a physical boundary between incompatible land uses. The cost of this wall is borne entirely by the developer of the commercial or industrial property, not by the adjacent residential property owners. Failure to install this required wall can result in stop-work orders on the development project and withholding of certificates of occupancy. The sight triangle provisions for corner lots require fences within the visibility area near intersections to be 42 inches or less, regardless of whether the fence is in the front, side, or rear yard. This ensures that drivers approaching intersections can see oncoming traffic, pedestrians, and bicyclists in time to react safely. The extent of the sight triangle varies by intersection type and is determined by the Public Works Department based on speed limits and traffic volume. The 2024 Zoning Code Update introduced modernized standards that supplement SMC 11-20-14, including detailed screening requirements for outdoor storage of recreational vehicles, boats, and equipment. Screening walls for these purposes may be up to 15 feet in height and must match the primary structure in materials and appearance. Accessory structures associated with outdoor storage are limited to 16 feet. The update also clarified that barbed wire is prohibited in all residential zones and is limited to four single strands in commercial and industrial districts, while razor wire is restricted to industrial zones only. All fences must be maintained in good repair, may not be used for advertising or signage display, and must comply with the development standards applicable to the zoning district. Fence modifications along the Highway 99 corridor may require additional Planning Commission review due to the visual significance of this major transportation corridor.
Non-compliant fences result in code enforcement citations with deadlines for correction. Developers who fail to install required masonry buffer walls face stop-work orders and withheld certificates of occupancy. Dilapidated or unmaintained fences may be cited under property maintenance standards. Advertising on fences violates sign ordinance provisions.
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