Council introduces ordinance revising fencing and nonconforming-lot rules; second reading set for Aug. 10

The La Habra Heights City Council on July 13 introduced Ordinance 2026-02 to amend municipal code chapter 7.5 (nonconforming lots) and related sections on development standards for fences. The ordinance would bring code sections into conformance to permit standards modifications for lots created for nonresidential purposes (such as former water-tank sites) and would change front-yard fencing rules to allow decorative solid walls under a minor-exception process.

Under the draft changes, driveway gates and walls would continue to meet an established limit on solid fencing at the street-facing edge, but certain decorative solid walls and landscaping treatments could be approved by the planning commission. Staff said the changes are intended to preserve rural character while giving residents options to address privacy and safety.

A public commenter objected that the ordinance as written would forbid new chain-link front-yard fences and most wood fences while permitting six-foot solid walls in some circumstances, which the speaker said would advantage homeowners who can afford higher-end materials and disadvantage those who rely on lower-cost chain-link. The commenter urged the council to add status-modification flexibility so long-standing neighborhood patterns are not disrupted.

Council discussion cited wildfire-safety reasons for limiting combustible wood fences and said planning-commission review and setback/landscaping conditions will govern where taller solid walls may be allowed. The planning commission recommended the changes after site visits and comparisons to other jurisdictions.

The council voted to introduce the ordinance by title only and set a second reading and adoption hearing for the Aug. 10 regular meeting. Any final ordinance will return to the council for a decision after the second reading.