17.620.130 Special fencing.
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to—
1. Protect private property from trespass and theft;
2. Ensure the public is not physically injured by fence materials; and
3. Maintain or improve the aesthetic quality and character of neighborhoods by establishing appropriate locations for fence and wall materials that, by functional design, are prominently visible.
B. Barbed wire, concertina wire, woven wire, and other similar materials.
1. Barbed wire, concertina wire, woven wire, and other similar fencing materials capable of inflicting significant physical injury, excluding electrified fencing (which is addressed in subsection C below), are allowed only in the M-1, M-1(S), M-2, and M-2(S) zones, if they are located at a height of 6 feet or more above grade. These fence materials are prohibited in all other zones.
2. Site plan and design review shall not be granted for a deviation from the height standard set forth in this subsection B unless the decisionmaker finds the property has unique physical characteristics that prevent strict compliance with this section.
C. Electrified fencing. An administrative permit for electrified fencing will be granted if it complies with the following:
1. Location. Electrified fencing is allowed only in the M-1, M-1(S), M-2, and M-2(S) zones.
2. Standards. Electrified fencing must comply with the following:
a. Electric fence height. Maximum height is 10 feet.
b. Perimeter fence or wall.
i. Height. Except as required by subsection C.2.c below, and for vehicle access gates along roadways, electrified fencing must be surrounded by a non-electrified fence or wall at least 6 feet in height.
ii. Setback.
1. An electric fence must be set back a minimum of 12 inches from any opening of 3 inches or less in the perimeter fence or wall.
2. An electric fence must be set back a minimum of 36 inches from any opening greater than 3 inches in the perimeter fence or wall.
c. Adjacent to residential zones or uses or schools. When abutting residentially-zoned property, residential uses, or school uses, a solid masonry, brick, or similar material perimeter wall of 8 feet in height is required.
d. Existing barbed wire, concertina wire, and other similar fencing materials capable of inflicting significant physical injury must be removed before completing installation of an electrified fence.
e. Electrical standards. All electrified fences must conform to the following standards:
i. International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards for electric fence energizers; and
ii. California Electrical Code (CEC).
f. Electrification.
i. Energizers for electrified fences must be powered by a commercial storage battery not to exceed 12 volts DC. The building official may approve a source of equal or less power.
ii. Electric charges produced by electrified fencing must not, upon contact, exceed the energizer characteristics set forth in the IEC standard for electric fence energizers.
iii. Non-low voltage electrical components (e.g., controllers, transformers) of the electric fencing system must be approved and listed by an Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).
g. Warning signs. Electrified fencing must be identified with signage conforming to the following:
i. Have a minimum dimension of 9 inches by 12 inches;
ii. Be placed at intervals not greater than 30 feet on both the inside and outside of the fence; and
iii. Read "Warning! Electric Fence" in English along with the international electrical safety symbol for voltage or shock hazard. Sign content may, in addition to English, also be provided in other languages.
h. Emergency access. Access through the electrified fencing must be provided to first responders (e.g., police, fire, etc.) as follows:
i. A "Knox Box" or other similar approved device must be installed in locations approved by the building official;
ii. A means to disconnect electrical power to the fence must be readily available, as determined by the building official;
iii. Disconnect switches and controls must be in an accessible location on the property and may not be obscured in any manner from the street or private driveway access;
iv. Signage must be provided identifying disconnect switches and controls in addition to instructions for disabling the electrical system; and
i. Access By First Responders.
i. By accepting a permit for an electrified fence, the owner and its assigns agree to the following: If emergency access features required by Sacramento City Code section 17.620.130 are absent or non-functional, and an owner, manager, employee, custodian, or any other person with control over the property is not present, or refuses to or is unable to disable the electrified fence, the permittee authorizes first responders, including the police and fire departments, to disable the electric fence to gain access to the property. Permittee further agrees to waive all claims for damages to the electrified fence against the city and its personnel under such circumstances.
ii. The language in subsection C.2.i.i above will be stated on the permit. (Ord. 2024-0017 § 62)
