To Picket Fences

Of the 359 homeowners in my area, 112 are running afoul of the law in a deviously blatant way by committing the heinous "fence offence;" in other words, breaching Los Angeles municipal code sections 12.21 and 12.22 which limit front yard fence and hedge height to a maximum 3 ½ feet above grade. Now that's a lot of criminal activity for one neighborhood.

With their pens and pads, my investigative team--three 17-year-old, out-of-work babysitters--scoured my neighborhood in search of scoundrels and found one very troublesome woman. This 74 year old widow named Barbara gave them a suspicious story about how her "charming wooden slats" were installed unknowingly by her otherwise law-abiding husband in 1987. My detectives measured the "offensive picket" at a full four feet -rather than the legal 3 ½ -- above grade.

When pressed, Barbara confessed that she had just received a letter from the L.A. City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo asking her to "appear for a City Attorney hearing to determine if a criminal complaint should be issued against (her)... for an alleged (fence) violation."

"It's a stressful situation," Barbara says. "It makes me feel like a felon. Shouldn't there be a statute of limitations on fences that have been in place for so long?"

Fence snitches are on the rise, according to some local representatives. Meddlesome neighbors or quality of life protectors, depending upon ones perspective, protest fences by calling the city's toll free number anonymously to tattle on their neighbors for wrought-iron, chain link and hedge indiscretions. Barbara's picket caught the attention of authorities when complainants tipped off the Department of Building and Safety to another neighbor's fence. A dozen families on the street received the ominous code violation letter.

My investigative crew told me to grab my polygraph and interrogation spotlight, and scurry to Barbara's home for a "Guantanamo Bay style" probe. But when I arrived, I took pity on the wide-eyed senior, hinting "Have you ever seen Leonardo DiCaprio's movie, "Catch Me If You Can?"

Of course, I would never advise Barbara to creep further into the recesses of crime by snubbing Mr. Delgadillo and tossing the violation notice in the trash. And I would hate for the fence fiasco to culminate in a showdown at a dusty printing warehouse in France, all on the taxpayers' dime.

But I wondered-- merely as a philosophical exercise--what would the city do if she were a "no show" at the hearing? How would the city react if Barbara faxed them a list of the other 111 high fences in our neighborhood, or better yet, the tens of thousands in L.A,?

Two things are certain: it would take a lot of out-of-work babysitters to compile the list, and it would start a revolution. Homeowners would not be willing to dismantle fences that cost them thousands of dollars to construct.

Whistle-blowing Barbara could then create a directory of every property with any sort of code violation. In fact, we have one now: it's called the phone book.

As a Realtor for the past 17 years, I have never sold a home that complies with every Building and Safety rule. There are enclosed patios and guest houses that are not "built to code;" there are water heaters, roofs and air conditioners that have been installed without permits. It can be illegal to park too many vehicles in the driveway or store too many items in the garage.

Due to a number of break-ins in the area, Barbara wants to retain her picket for security. Fence proponents tout other benefits, such as increased privacy and the flexibility to transform front yards into grassy play areas for kids and pets, especially when pools swallow up the rear of a lot. Hill-adjacent properties as well as those that have succumbed to expansion or mansionization may not have room for a yard without enclosing the front.

Too many years have passed and too many fences have been built for Los Angeles to attempt a perilous, impractical and costly u-turn back to the "Leave it to Beaver" days when neighborhoods had unobstructed front lawns. One third of all home-owning Angelenos cannot and should not be inputted into a "fence offender database."

The Barbaras of this city should not be frightened by official notices, turned into scofflaws and labeled "casualties of the process," as one fence snitch calls her.

The city could encourage residents to drape existing fences with greenery to capture the pastoral quality of the yesteryear or require them to contribute $100 annually to a neighborhood beautification fund in return for the right to ignore the law.

The city could even change the law to accommodate higher fences and mature hedges; after all, an owner has paid for her front yard, so she should, within reason, be able to use it as she pleases.

The "fence" controversy has traveled beyond Los Angeles to the California communities of Burbank, Santa Monica, Richmond, and Glendale where angry homeowners have flocked to city council meetings-often breaking attendance records--to voice their dissatisfaction with what they perceive to be arcane and restrictive rules. The issue is likely to continue weaving its way across America since most communities limit front-yard fence heights to three to four feet while property owners routinely disregard the laws.

As I said good-bye to infamous L.A. picket, Barbara whispered in my ear.

"Don't tell Mr. Delgadillo, but I wish my fence were higher. Then I could take out my trash in my nightie."

I nodded, "Why should a person have to get dressed just to walk out her own front door?"

Charlotte Laws is a member of the Greater Valley Glen Council, a Realtor in Los Angeles and an author.

To see her other articles, go to http://www.CharlotteLaws.org To comment on this article, go to her blog at http://charlottelaws.typepad.com

If you need to buy or sell real estate in the U.S. and need a referral, contact Charlotte through her real estate website at http://www.YourTopBroker.com

---

Stair Railings Styles

The stair railing at home is more than a simple... Read More

How to Deal With Contractors (So You Wont Go Mad!)

BE PREPARED -- Building a house is lots of fun,... Read More

Rising Damp

It doesn't sound like a particularly interesting topic, however a... Read More

Sump Pump Installation for Do-It-Yourselfers

According to recent surveys, over 85% of all homes with... Read More

Bathroom Vanity Cabinets - Considerations Before Buying Bathroom Vanities Online

Bathroom vanity cabinets are an essential component of any bathroom... Read More

How to Build a Home Sauna - Three Important Questions to Answer Before Building

Considering that home saunas are believed to produce numerous health... Read More

Kitchen Design ? No Need to Do It Alone

You can't opt out of the process altogether, though, because... Read More

11 Tips for Stripping Wallpaper: How to Get Rid of Ugly Wallpaper!

I broke my promise to myself and stripped wallpaper again.... Read More

Ceiling Fan Blades

A ceiling fan consists of three basic parts, namely the... Read More

How To Care For Your Leather Furniture

Leather is the most durable fabric used for furniture today.... Read More

The Wireless Home

It was only a few years ago that Real Estate... Read More

Mommy, Mommy, Theres a Caterpillar on my Bed

Chenille has been used for bedspreads since Catherine Evans revived... Read More

10 Spring Cleaning Tips For Your Kitchen

The words "spring cleaning" can make the neatest person cringe.... Read More

Air Sanders: Forget Electric, Go Air!

An air sander is a common air tool often overlooked... Read More

Trading in Corporate Office for Home Office

Six years ago, I had not yet turned on a... Read More

Design Psychology: Beds and Emotional Well-Being

The bed represents the beginning and ending of life. In... Read More

Employ Passive Solar Energy and Start Saving Electricity Today

1. Orientation, layout and positioning of your house on the... Read More

Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

Any remodeling idea for a small kitchen must address the... Read More

How To Buy Double Glazing In The UK

Double glazing reduces heat loss through your windows. You can... Read More

Building or Decorating Your Home Requires House Plans

There are some things to consider when creating plans for... Read More

This Is Why People Should Consider Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are among the most beautiful things you can... Read More

Tips To Improve The Quality Of Your Outdoor Space And Patio

It's easy to get overwhelmed trying to figure out just... Read More

Dining Rooms: Designing for Your Emotional Well-Being

I read an interior design book last night. Since I... Read More

If You Think Mold and Mildew Hibernate During The Winter, Think Again!

If You Think Mold and Mildew Hibernate During The Winter,... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Pre-application Enquiries to the Council - Is the Delay Worthwhile?

The holiday season is now in full swing & for... Read More

Feng Shui Your Home, Work and Life For Balance and Harmony

Feng Shui describes the communication that takes place every day... Read More

Help Choosing Door and Window Hardware

Who would be the best person to help you find... Read More

A Look at Steel Building Kits

Steel building kits are a comprehensive set of all the... Read More

Fixer-Uppers: What To Fix

You've bought a house, a fixer-upper you can make some... Read More

Sliding Glass Door Replacement

This article is going to be about replacing an old... Read More

Reuse Works for the Workshop

The workshop is a great place for reusing items formally... Read More

Make your Sauna a Focal Point

A sauna has been used throughout history in every part... Read More

10 Quick Ways to Change Your Fire-less Fireplace from a Black Hole to a Worthy Focal Point

Everyone loves a fireplace aglow with a roaring fire or... Read More