1 City Council Meeting: November 11, 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,
INCLUDING THOSE 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 October 22, 2024, in response to concerns raised by residents regarding privacy and safety, the City Council directed the City Manager and City Attorney to begin the process of amending the Zoning Ordinance to: increase heights in the front yard setback in R2, R3, and R4 zone districts, with particular consideration for the appropriateness of 60 inches in height, with 50% 2 transparency for walls and fences above 42 inches in height within the context of crime prevention principles; and address measurements that may 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
[behind this page]
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 heights in the front yard setback in
R2, R3, and R4 zone districts, with particular
consideration for the appropriateness of 60
inches in height, with 50% transparency for
walls and fences above 42 inches in height
• Address measurements that may include
retaining walls
9.04.050, Land Use
Regulations, Measuring
Height
9.21.050, Fences, Walls
and Hedges