DATE: August 4, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Request for Direction Regarding Urban Residential Fence Standards
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Receive report and provide direction to staff regarding recommended amendments to the Fresno County Zoning Ordinance relating to urban residential fence standards, and
2. If no action taken provide direction to staff regarding the continued suspension of code enforcement activities related to fence violations in the County's urban residential zoning districts.
REPORT
This item comes to your Board in light of the number of existing over height fence complaints continuing to be received by Department of Public Works and Planning in the County's urban residential zoning districts. Department staff is seeking your Board's direction regarding recommended amendments to the Zoning Ordinance's residential fence standards that would allow greater property owner flexibility. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(s):
This item is intended to provide information and receive direction. Your Board can choose to take no action.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff time associated with this Agenda Item represents a Net County Cost which is absorbed in the Department's FY 2020-21 Budget in ORG 43600200.
DISCUSSION:
Background
The Department continues to receive complaints relating to over height fencing in urban residential zoning districts. Typically, these complaints involve property owners who have constructed fences (some completely solid) along their front property line six feet in height or higher. Based on discussions with property owners, the primary reason for the excess height fences is home and personal security and safety.
The County has several urban residential zoning districts in the Fresno/Clovis metropolitan area and unincorporated communities, including the R-1-E, R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C, R-1, R-2 Districts. In general, fences wit...
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