To Picket Fences

The "fence height" controversy has traveled to thehigh fences in our neighborhood, or better yet, the
California communities of Burbank, Los Angeles, Santatens of thousands in L.A,?
Monica, Richmond and Glendale where angryTwo things are certain: it would take a lot of
homeowners have flocked to city councilout-of-work babysitters to compile the list, and it
meetings—often breaking attendance records--towould start a revolution. Homeowners would not be
voice their dissatisfaction with what they perceive towilling to dismantle fences that cost them thousands
be arcane and restrictive rules. The issue is likely toof dollars to construct.
continue weaving its way across America.Whistle-blowing Barbara could then create a directory
Of the 359 homeowners in my area, 112 are runningof every property with any sort of code violation. In
afoul of the law in a deviously blatant way byfact, we have one now: it’s called the phone
committing the heinous "fence offence;" in otherbook.
words, breaching Los Angeles municipal code sectionsAs a Realtor for the past 17 years, I have never sold
12.21 and 12.22 which limit front yard fence anda home that complies with every Building and Safety
hedge height to a maximum 3 ½ feet above grade.rule. There are enclosed patios and guest houses that
Now that’s a lot of criminal activity for oneare not “built to code;” there are water
neighborhood.heaters, roofs and air conditioners that have been
With their pens and pads, my investigativeinstalled without permits. It can be illegal to park too
team--three 17-year-old, out-of-workmany vehicles in the driveway or store too many
babysitters--scoured my neighborhood in search ofitems in the garage.
scoundrels and found one very troublesome woman.Due to a number of break-ins in the area, Barbara
This 74 year old widow named Barbara gave them awants to retain her picket for security. Fence
suspicious story about how her “charming woodenproponents tout other benefits, such as increased
slats” were installed unknowingly by her otherwiseprivacy and the flexibility to transform front yards
law-abiding husband in 1987. My detectives measuredinto grassy play areas for kids and pets, especially
the “offensive picket” at a full four feetwhen pools swallow up the rear of a lot. Hill-adjacent
—rather than the legal 3 ½ -- above grade.properties as well as those that have succumbed to
When pressed, Barbara confessed that she had justexpansion or mansionization may not have room for
received a letter from the L.A. City Attorney Rockya yard without enclosing the front.
Delgadillo asking her to “appear for a CityToo many years have passed and too many fences
Attorney hearing to determine if a criminal complainthave been built for Los Angeles to attempt a
should be issued against (her)... for an alleged (fence)perilous, impractical and costly u-turn back to the
violation.”“Leave it to Beaver” days when neighborhoods
“It’s a stressful situation,” Barbara says.had unobstructed front lawns. One third of all
“It makes me feel like a felon. Shouldn’thome-owning Angelenos cannot and should not be
there be a statute of limitations on fences that haveinputted into a “fence offender database.”
been in place for so long?”The Barbaras of this city should not be frightened by
Fence snitches are on the rise, according to someofficial notices, turned into scofflaws and labeled
local representatives. Meddlesome neighbors or quality“casualties of the process,” as one fence snitch
of life protectors, depending upon ones perspective,calls her.
protest fences by calling the city’s toll freeThe city could encourage residents to drape existing
number anonymously to tattle on their neighbors forfences with greenery to capture the pastoral quality
wrought-iron, chain link and hedge indiscretions.of the yesteryear or require them to contribute $100
Barbara’s picket caught the attention ofannually to a neighborhood beautification fund in
authorities when complainants tipped off thereturn for the right to ignore the law.
Department of Building and Safety to anotherThe city could even change the law to accommodate
neighbor’s fence. A dozen families on thehigher fences and mature hedges; after all, an owner
street received the ominous code violation letter.has paid for her front yard, so she should, within
My investigative crew told me to grab my polygraphreason, be able to use it as she pleases.
and interrogation spotlight, and scurry toThe "fence" controversy has traveled beyond Los
Barbara’s home for a "Guantanamo Bay style"Angeles to the California communities of Burbank,
probe. But when I arrived, I took pity on theSanta Monica, Richmond, and Glendale where angry
wide-eyed senior, hinting “Have you ever seenhomeowners have flocked to city council
Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie, “Catch Me Ifmeetings—often breaking attendance records--to
You Can?”voice their dissatisfaction with what they perceive to
Of course, I would never advise Barbara to creepbe arcane and restrictive rules. The issue is likely to
further into the recesses of crime by snubbing Mr.continue weaving its way across America since most
Delgadillo and tossing the violation notice in the trash.communities limit front-yard fence heights to three to
And I would hate for the fence fiasco to culminate infour feet while property owners routinely disregard
a showdown at a dusty printing warehouse in France,the laws.
all on the taxpayers’ dime.As I said good-bye to infamous L.A. picket, Barbara
But I wondered-- merely as a philosophicalwhispered in my ear.
exercise--what would the city do if she were a“Don’t tell Mr. Delgadillo, but I wish my
“no show” at the hearing? How would the cityfence were higher. Then I could take out my trash in
react if Barbara faxed them a list of the other 111my nightie.