1 City Council Meeting: August 27, 2024 Santa Monica, California RESOLUTION NUMBER _________ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA DIRECTING THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO INITATE AN AMENDMENT TO THE TEXT OF THE CITY’S ZONING ORDINANCE TO INCREASE
THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED HEIGHTS OF FENCES, WALLS AND HEDGES IN THE FRONT SETBACKS OF R2, R3 AND R4 ZONING DISTRICTS AND TO ADDRESS
THE RULES FOR MEASURING THE HEIGHTS OF FENCES, WALLS AND HEDGES
LOCATED ON TOP OF RETAINING WALLS
WHEREAS, the City’s new Zoning Ordinance, Chapters 9.01 through 9.52 of Article 9 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code (“Zoning Ordinance”), became effective on July 24, 2015; and
WHEREAS, currently the Zoning Ordinance, in accordance with Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) Section 9.21.050(A)(1), allows fence, wall, and hedge heights up to 42 inches in the front setback within all zoning districts, with the option to apply for a discretionary height modification should additional height be requested pursuant to SMMC Section 9.43.050(B); and
WHEREAS, SMMC Section 9.04.050(D), provides rules for measurement of any fence, wall, or hedge, including specific rules for measuring fences, walls and hedges located on top of retaining walls; and
WHEREAS, during its Regular Meeting on June 25, 2024, in response to concerns raised related to protecting privacy and private spaces in the City’s R2, R3 and R4 zones due to the development volume in those districts as a result of changes in State law that allows for greater density, the City Council directed staff to return with amendments to the Municipal Code to allow front fence, wall, and hedge heights to be limited to 72 inches in 2 height in the front setback within the R2, R3, and R4 zoning districts and address measurements that include retaining walls.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.46.030(A), the City Council does hereby direct the Planning Commission to initiate an amendment to the text of the Zoning Ordinance, as set forth in Exhibit A, attached to this Resolution.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
DOUGLAS SLOAN
City Attorney
3 EXHIBIT A
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4 TOPIC DESCRIPTION
SMMC SECTION(S) TO
BE REVIEWED
AND/OR AMENDED
INCLUDE BUT MAY
NOT BE LIMITED TO:
Fences, Walls
and Hedges
Consider possible amendments to:
• Increase fence, wall and hedge heights to 72
inches in front setback in the R2, R3 and R4
Zoning Districts
• Address the rules for measuring the heights of
fences, walls and hedges located on top of
retaining walls
9.04.050, Land Use
Regulations, Measuring
Height
9.21.050, Fences, Walls
and Hedges
9.43.050, Applicability:
Fence, Wall, and Hedge
Height Modifications
9.43.080, Procedures
and Required Findings
for Fence, Wall and
Hedge Height
Modifications