§ 18.34.050 — Additional Requirements by Land Use Type
Santa Clara City Code · Santa Clara City Code § 18.34.050
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A. Screening for Separating Residential and Non-Residential Uses and Parking Lots. Any nonresidential use shall provide screening from adjacent residential uses and parking lots at the property line. The screening required shall be a solid wall or fence, six feet in height, except that any portion situated in the required setback area from adjacent public streets shall be no more than three feet in height. B. Applicable to All Land Use Types. 1. Swimming Pools, Spas, and Similar Water Features. Swimming pools, spas, and other similar water features shall be enclosed in compliance with Building Code requirements. Required fencing surrounding the immediate swimming pool area shall not exceed the height required by the Building Code. 2. Temporary Fences. Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to prohibit the erection of a temporary fence around construction projects in compliance with the Building Code and other applicable requirements of the SCCC. 3. Outdoor storage. Outdoor storage shall be screened from public view by a solid wall, fence or other screening as approved by the Review Authority. No outdoor storage shall extend above the height of any screening wall or fence, except as expressly authorized by the Review Authority. 4. Screening of Mechanical Equipment. In order to minimize visibility from adjacent roads and properties, ground-level and rooftop mechanical equipment shall be screened so as to not be visible from a public road or a public space. This screening may be provided by a primary structure. Mechanical equipment not screened by a primary structure shall be screened by a visually solid fence, screen wall or panel, parapet wall, or other visually solid screen that shall be constructed of materials compatible with those used in the exterior construction of the primary structure. Notwithstanding the requirements of this Subsection, mechanical equipment located in a manner found to have no adverse visual impact on adjacent roads and properties, as determined by the Director, shall not be required to be screened. 5. Yards on Thoroughfares. Rear yard fencing abutting on any major thoroughfare of four or more motor vehicular traffic lanes may be erected and shall not exceed eight feet in height. Fencing shall be subject to a Architectural Review (Chapter 18.120). 6. Outdoor Recreation Courts. Fencing for outdoor recreation courts (e.g., tennis courts, basketball courts) shall not exceed 12 feet in height. Fencing for outdoor recreation courts shall be located five feet from any rear or side property lines, except when adjacent to outdoor recreation courts on adjacent properties. C. Minor Architectural Review. As part of the Minor Architectural Review process, openings or pedestrian connections may be required at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator. In addition, a landscaping strip adjacent to the screening wall (including such trees or plants as the Review Authority requires) with a minimum width of five feet shall be required if the Review Authority deems reasonably necessary to screen the use from the adjoining uses. D. Abutting Corner Parcel. The following shall apply to any abutting corner parcel developed such that the front entrance of a single-family or two-family dwelling faces the street side property line (see Figure 3-6 (Fence Height Exception – Abutting Corner Parcel): 1. No fence greater than three feet in height shall be located closer to the side corner parcel line than the dwelling. 2. The minimum setback from the front property line for any fence over three feet in height shall be no less than 10 feet. Figure 3-6 Fence Height Exception – Abutting Corner Parcel E. Posts, Columns, and Gates. Support posts, columns, or gates shall be allowed within any setback area, provided they do not exceed four feet in height and 18 inches in width, are located 15 feet or more from an intersection and are not located within a driveway visibility clearance area. F. Non-Residential Zones Adjoining Residential Zones. Where such zones are adjacent to residential or PD zones parcels, fences shall not exceed six feet in height on common parcel lines; provided, however, that fences on common parcel lines shall not exceed three feet in height in the front or side setback of such adjacent residential or PD zoned parcel. G. Commercial Zones. Loading docks shall be screened from public view, adjoining public streets and rights-of-way, and residentially zoned areas by a solid fence or wall at least six feet in height on all common property lines. H. Mixed-Use Zones. 1. At the time of new construction of a structure on property in this zone, the property owner shall install and provide continual maintenance of a solid masonry wall six feet high on all interior property lines. Fencing in front and street side yards shall not exceed a maximum height of three feet. 2. The Director is granted the authority as an administrative function, to permit a suitable alternative for situations where construction of a masonry fence would not be warranted, such as jointly used driveway, parking or recreation areas, or adjacent minimum 10-foot yards. I. Industrial and Office Zones. 1. Outdoor storage areas shall be screened from view from the public right-of-way or from adjacent properties accessible to the public and the screening shall be architecturally compatible with the surrounding environment. 2. Security fences and walls. The purpose of security fencing and wall standards is to provide for a safe environment for businesses in industrial and office land use designations. Palisade fencing may be permitted with the approval of the Review Authority.
