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Planning staff outlines effects of AB 2371; city will consider fence-permit and zoning updates
Summary
Community Development Director Gabriel Perez told the Planning Commission that AB 2371 (2024) allows electrified security fences for commercial and industrial properties without local discretionary approval and that staff will propose code updates, a possible electrical-permit requirement and a registration system; residential electrified fences remain prohibited.
Gabriel Perez, South Gate's Community Development Director, reported to the Planning Commission that Assembly Bill 2371 (2024) allows commercial and industrial properties to install electrified security fences without discretionary local approval, and that the statute expires in 2028.
Perez said the law limits local discretion for electrified fences on nonresidential properties but does not apply to residences. "There was a law passed in 2024 called AB 2371, for electrified security fences… it does allow commercial, and industrial properties to be able to install electrified security fences," Perez said. Staff proposed at minimum requiring electrical permits or a registration system so the city knows the location and installation status of electrified fences.
Perez also reviewed zoning-code history on barbed and razor wire fencing: code language adopted in 2015 specifically prohibits barbed/razor wire in many instances, but staff found many security fences pre-dating that ordinance on industrial properties. He told commissioners staff will prepare proposed zoning-code amendments to clarify when security fencing is appropriate and to recommend alternatives and standards for appropriate security design.
Enforcement and remediation: staff said some existing fences were installed without permits and that enforcement capacity is limited (two full-time code-enforcement officers). Perez provided one compliance example: a towed-vehicle business that installed an unpermitted fence has agreed to replace it with a permitted wall and landscaping by a March 15 compliance date; staff will coordinate with state and federal agencies when soil remediation or environmental review is necessary.
Next steps: staff will return with draft zoning-code amendments and recommended permit/registration procedures for commission review and will engage commissioners in drafting acceptable standards for security fencing.
Ending: The commission asked staff to provide addresses for specific fences of concern and to return with draft code language and enforcement timelines.
