17.30.030 Fences and walls | Wasco Municipal Code

17.30.030 Fences and walls.

The following regulations apply to the construction and maintenance of fences and walls:

1. Fencing or wall materials, colors, textures and design of the fence or wall shall be compatible with on-site development and adjacent properties. The planning director, through the site plan review process, may make exceptions to the use of prohibited materials as shown in subsection (A)(7) of this section, based on architectural design and compatibility with surrounding development.

2. Fence or wall height shall be measured from the lowest adjacent grade to the uppermost part of the fence or wall except as allowed in subsection (A)(3) of this section.

3. Where there is a difference in grade between adjoining property boundaries, a fence or wall height shall be measured from the higher of the two adjoining property grades so that the higher property may still achieve a six-foot to seven-foot fence or wall height. Such condition may require the fence or wall to be combined with a retaining wall (see Table 3-1).

4. Temporary construction fencing that is of a chain link or wire type may be allowed within the front and street side setback areas with the issuance of a temporary use permit.

5. All fences and walls shall be subject to the height limitations described in Table 3-1, Fence and Wall Heights/Setbacks. The community development director, through the site plan review process, may make exceptions to the height limitations as shown in Table 3-1, based on architectural design and compatibility of surrounding development.

6. The corner lot street side setback for a fence or wall shall be three feet (see Table 3-1, Fence and Wall Heights/Setbacks).

7. Prohibited materials shall include:

a. Razor or concertina wire in conjunction with a fence or wall.

b. Barbed wire or electrified fence except in A-E or R-R zones for animal control.

c. Chain link, except in the I-L (light industrial), I-H (heavy industrial), and C-S (service commercial) zone districts.

Table 3-1. Fence and Wall Heights/Setbacks
Location	Maximum Height	Setbacks
Zones With Setback Requirements
Within front setback	4 ft.
Within interior side/rear setback	7 ft.
At ≥ 3 ft. of street side property line	7 ft.
Within 10 ft. of alley and street intersections	4 ft.
Zones With No Setback Requirements
Within 15 ft. of front property line	4 ft.
At ≥ 5 ft. of street side property line	7 ft.
Setbacks
Street side on corner lot		3 ft.¹

1Setback may be adjusted to zero feet with director’s approval. A block retaining wall shall be required where a grade difference exists between the building pad elevation and the sidewalk elevation.

Figure 3-1. Fence and Wall Height With a Grade Difference

(Ord. 723 § 1, 2023; Ord. 706 §3 (Exh. A), 2019).