Covenant Design Review Committee Supplemental Design Criteria FENCESandWALLS ne of the defining characteristics of Rancho Santa Fe is the open character of its landscape. The Ranch s unique appearance is created by views of orange groves, pastures and landscaped areas without the predominance of man-made features and thus engenders a rural character. A rural landscape is one which is characterized by large acreages, has few structures and few physical boundaries. The fences in rural areas are usually spaced far apart and are used to contain animals and not to define property lines. Having too many fence lines destroys the rural character by breaking the landscape into small parcels and introducing more manmade features into the natural landscape. To preserve the open character of Rancho Santa Fe, the Covenant Design Review Committee reviews fences to limit their prominence. The Covenant Design Review Committee realizes that there are legitimate reasons for property owners to want to fence portions of their property; to contain animals and young children and to enclose a pool with a County required pool containment fence. These types of fences can be approved; however, the design of fences needs to maintain community character by designing and locating the fence in such a way that its prominence is reduced. The following guidelines have been created to inform property owners and designers of the Covenant Design Review Committee s desire for fence design as it relates to the maintenance of Rancho Santa Fe s character. Readers are also directed to the Rancho Santa Fe Residential Design Guidelines for additional information on fences and walls.
Page 2 of 11 FENCES COVENANT DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE REVIEW All fences require Covenant Design Review Committee approval with the one following exception: Split-rail Fences. Wooden, unpainted, split rail fences not exceeding 36 inches in height, and consisting of two (2) or fewer rails shall be considered minor construction. Section 31.0302 of the Rancho Santa Fe Regulatory Code. SEPARATION from PROPERTY LINES To preserve the community s open character, fences should not be the dominant feature along roadways or views from homes. Fences need to be inset from streets and some property lines to allow for sufficient landscaping to visually interrupt views of fences but not necessarily hide them. Fence separation distances from: 1. Street - approximately 10% of lot depth 2. Side and rear yards a. A fence that is not placed directly on the property line should be recessed from the property line by at least five (5) feet to allow room for landscaping and maintenance on both sides of the fence. b. In instances where a fence is already located on an adjoining property and is set back by five feet, a greater setback than five feet may be required for the new fence to avoid a narrow ten-foot strip between the two fences. 3. Trails - Inset the fencing a minimum of 3 feet from an existing trail. 4. Applications for fences that are placed on a property line require a signed letter of approval from the adjoining owner.
Page 3 of 11 FENCE DESIGN Fences look most appropriate when they are of the type most commonly associated with rural landscapes. The following are the preferred fence designs. Other types may be approved. 1) Height: five (5) feet 2) Perimeter fencing a) Rectangular pasture rail fencing with 4 x 4 posts spaced no less than 8 feet apar. b) 2 or 3 horizontal rails (no larger than 2 x 6 to avoid the look of a massive barrier) c) Peeler pole pasture fencing, posts spaced approximately eight feet apart d) Split rail
Page 4 of 11 Wire Mesh on Fencing 1) Location of wire mesh on fences a) Mesh should be mounted on the side of the fence facing the inside of property. b) Mesh may be mounted on outside for pool containment fences. See the section on pool containment fences. 2) Types of wire mesh a) Galvanized - Placed on the inside of the fence only - not for pool containment: i) 2 x4 mesh ii) hog wire iii) chicken wire or mesh smaller than 2 x2 may only be used if it is no taller than 12 inches from the ground (to keep small animals out) b) Chain Link: i) Black vinyl ii) Brown vinyl iii) (no green, or other colors of vinyl) iv) (no galvanized)
Page 5 of 11 Inappropriate Designs 1) The following fences are discouraged: a) Designs which are inherently prominent or eye-catching i) Ornate or unusual post designs ii) Busy rail patterns iii) Designs which are massive (a) Large dimension posts and/or rails (b) Large pilasters instead of posts iv) Designs which are opaque, nearly opaque (1) Numerous posts and/or cross rails v) Metal posts (such as galvanized posts for chain link fences) vi) Pipe fences (except for horse turnout areas in the immediate vicinity of a stable) vii) Vinyl fences - including vinyl horse pasture fences (black or brown vinyl coating is allowed on chain link mesh). Vinyl fences are prohibited anywhere on a property viii) Wrought iron, cast iron or aluminum (see exception under Pool Containment ) ix) Barbed wire or razor wire
Page 6 of 11 Pool Containment Fencing 1. All of the fences listed under perimeter fencing will meet County pool containment requirements if wire mesh or chain link is mounted on the outside of the fence. a. Fence assemblies that include wire mesh on the outside of the fencing to meet County pool containment requirements should be substantially inset from the property lines to provide visual separation and adequate room for landscape screening. 2. Wrought iron can be an acceptable pool containment fence if it is used sparingly in the immediate vicinity of the pool, not visible from the street or neighbors and: a. Be painted a dark, neutral color b. Be of simple design c. Have no spear points
Page 7 of 11 Low Fences in the Immediate Vicinity of the House Low, decorative fences such as those used to enclose an entry courtyard or vegetable garden can be of different designs and materials than pasture-style perimeter fencing. These types of fences may be allowed if they are compatible with the design of the house, are understated and are not inherently eye-catching or prominent. Fence Colors Darker colors tend to recede into the background; therefore, dark colored fences will be less prominent. Fences should generally be painted or stained a dark tone unless they are left natural. Because of the strong, cultural association between horse pastures and white rail fences, the Covenant Design Review Committee will allow fences to be painted white if they are for horse containment surrounding an irrigated, grass pasture. Wooden fences should be: 1. left natural 2. stained or painted dark brown 3. painted white only if they are pasture fences used to contain horses in an irrigated, grass pasture
Page 8 of 11 FENCE LOCATIONS Fences should not be located in areas that will heighten their prominence. 1. Do not place fences along a ridgeline where it creates the silhouette of the fence. 2. Place the fence lower on the slope so that the landform and vegetation creates the ridge s silhouette. 3. When placing fences in new or existing fruit orchards or groves, place the fence at least two rows into the grove to obscure the fence.
Page 9 of 11 LANDSCAPE SCREENING FOR FENCES With the exception of fences used to contain horses, fences should usually be landscaped to reduce the fence s prominence. Reducing the prominence of the individual fence helps to maintain a rural community character. Landscape Design 1. Landscape both sides of the fence (unless used for horses). 2. Where possible, plant a variety of landscape materials (with different heights/form/colors/textures). A solid planting of one species: a. looks more formal b. visually emphasizes the fence c. creates the potential for a pest infestation to eliminate the entire landscape screen. 3. Do not have formal landscaping (such as a uniform shrub planting every 8 feet). 4. Avoid having fences that cross lawns. Have the fence within a shrub border. A fence crossing a lawn is more prominent.
Page 10 of 11 WALLS Walls are typically made of stone or stucco, with or without other design embellishments such as lintels or decorative caps. Because walls are solid they are more noticeable than fences and therefore must be located within the landscape with great care to prevent undue prominence. Please Note: These supplemental criteria do not address wing walls associated with driveway gates. For guidance on driveway wing walls see the separate Covenant Design Review Committee Supplemental Criteria entitled Gates and other Driveway Features. The only walls allowed as minor construction without Covenant Design Review Committee approval: Garden Walls. Garden walls not exceeding 32 inches in height and composed of dry-laid materials, and which observe all setback requirements established for structures in the Protective Covenant, shall be minor construction. Section 31.0302.02 of the Rancho Santa Fe Regulatory Code WALL LOCATION Walls are discouraged for property perimeters or other large areas of a lot because by their very nature walls are more prominent than see-through fences. 1. Walls should be used sparingly, in the immediate vicinity of the residence such as to enclose courtyards. 2. Walls should be located in such a way that they are not visually prominent from the road or neighbors. DESIGN OF WALLS 1. Walls should be integrated with the design of the residence. a. Use the same materials or complimentary materials as the residence 2. Walls should be subordinate to the structures and not visually prominent. 3. Keep the walls as low as possible for their intended function. 4. Not approvable: a. Designs which are visually prominent and/or inherently eye catching b. Walls constructed of panes of glass c. Glass block d. Walls constructed of materials that do not match or complement the house
Page 11 of 11 RETAINING WALLS Retaining walls may be allowed if they are used to attain the goal of reducing grading and creating a project design that responds to the topography of the site. See the Rancho Santa Fe Residential Design Guidelines and Chapter 41 of the Rancho Santa Fe Regulatory Code for guidance on grading. 1. Use retaining walls sparingly. 2. Face walls with stone or stucco to match or complement the design of the residence. 3. Discouraged materials: a. Exposed concrete block b. Exposed poured concrete c. Modular, mortarless concrete systems either with or without planting pockets d. Railroad ties FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS My neighbor has a fence quite close to the street, why can t I? I ve seen wrought iron used for perimeter fences, why can t I have one? When you drive through Rancho Santa Fe you will see many fence and wall designs that would not be approved under the current policies and guidelines. Due to the increased amount of development in Rancho Santa Fe, the Covenant Design Review Committee must now pay greater attention to the design and placement of walls and fences. Subdivisions have created additional properties and many older homes are being remodeled or replaced. These new projects are often fenced, creating more fencing within the community than in the past. The cumulative effect of all the new fencing creates a community with a less open, less rural appearance. To allow new fences and walls without compromising the scenery, the Covenant Design Review Committee decided to follow a set of guidelines that would ensure that fences and walls would not be prominent features in the landscape.