Riverside council approves fence language, amends rural park zoning and directs staff to refine backyard poultry rules

Riverside — On Feb. 17 the City Council approved changes to proposed unified development ordinance (UDO) language governing fences, moved to amend the proposed rural park zoning map, and directed staff to refine urban agriculture (backyard poultry) provisions for a later vote.

UDO fences: Staff presented redlined UDO language permitting chain-link fences up to 4 feet in front yards inside the RH (residential high-density) zoning district, subject to corner sight-triangle restrictions and maintenance standards. Council clarified that corner-line-of-sight rules override zoning and emphasized that chain-link fences must remain unobstructed; the council then voted to approve the fence/wall/hedge language.

Rural park zoning map: Staff proposed leaving the park parcel as campus institutional, designating parcels north of the park abutting residential as high-density residential, and preserving the corridor parcels as commercial. The council moved to adopt the map amendment and approved it.

Urban agriculture (backyard poultry): Council conducted extended discussion about permitting, registration, enforcement and allowable birds. Speakers raised health and safety guidance, staff capacity for enforcement, and whether a free registration or a formal permit was preferable. Council noted planning commission previously denied similar language; staff agreed to combine council feedback (including sample language submitted by a councilmember) into the draft UDO and return it at the next meeting for a first reading. Staff and members referenced specific limits already in the draft (a six-bird maximum per residence) and clarified which species would be allowed (chickens, ducks and quail were cited as allowable; turkeys and geese excluded in the discussion). Council asked that the revised draft include care, coop standards and a public communication plan.

What happens next: Staff will incorporate the fence and map changes into the draft UDO and prepare revised urban-agriculture language, send materials to planning commission as appropriate, and bring the first reading of the UDO back to council for formal action.