City of Mesa Corner Lot Fence and Sight Triangle Regulations

In the City of Mesa, corner lot fences located within the required front yard are generally limited to 3.5 feet in height, although they may reach 4.5 feet if the top 1.5 feet is visually transparent. To ensure traffic safety, the City of Mesa mandates a visibility triangle at all intersections, measuring 80 feet along the centerlines from the point of intersection, where no obstructions are permitted between 3 and 8 feet above the street grade. Additionally, a specific 10-foot by 10-foot visibility triangle is required on corner lots that abut the side property line of a "key lot" [Section 11-30-4, Section 11-30-14].

Fence Height and Material Standards

The City of Mesa regulates fence heights based on the specific yard in which the fence is located. For corner lots, the "Front" of the lot is defined as the narrowest dimension of the lot with street frontage [Section 11-2-3].

Yard Location	Maximum Opaque Height	Maximum Height with Transparency
Front Yard	3.5 feet	4.5 feet (top 1.5' must be transparent)
Side Yard (Interior)	6.0 feet	6.0 feet
Street Side Yard	6.0 feet	6.0 feet
Rear Yard	6.0 feet	6.0 feet

Residential and Agricultural Restrictions

In City of Mesa residential (RS, RSL, RM, DR) and agricultural (AG) districts, specific standards apply to fence construction:

Prohibited Materials: The use of barbed wire, razor wire, or electrified fencing is strictly prohibited, except for specific livestock enclosures in agricultural zones [Section 11-30-4].
Decorative Features: Entry gateways and trellises are permitted in the required front or street-facing side yard, provided they do not exceed 10 feet in height or 2 feet in diameter [Section 11-30-4].
Articulation: Any fence or wall plane longer than 40 feet must be articulated through the use of columns, landscaping pockets, or changes in materials [Section 11-30-4].

Sight Triangle and Intersection Visibility

The City of Mesa establishes strict "visibility triangles" to provide clear lines of sight for motorists and pedestrians at intersections and driveways.

Standard Intersection Triangle

No fence, wall, sign, or shrubbery may be placed in the triangular space formed by the intersecting centerlines of two streets and a line joining points on those centerlines located 80 feet from the point of intersection. Within this area, no object is permitted between the heights of 3 feet and 8 feet above the centerline grades of the streets [Section 11-30-14].

Key Lot Visibility Triangle

A specialized requirement applies when the rear property line of a corner lot abuts the side property line of an adjoining "key lot." In these instances, a visibility triangle measuring 10 feet deep by 10 feet wide must be maintained over the corner lot, starting at the intersection of the rear and street side property lines [Section 11-30-4].

Signage in Visibility Triangles

Under the City of Mesa Sign Ordinance, additional restrictions apply to signage within these triangles:

Permanent Signs: No permanent sign is permitted to exceed a height of 3 feet within a sight visibility triangle [Section 11-41-8].
Portable Signs: Portable signs are permitted in the triangle only if they do not exceed 3 feet in height. In specific districts like RS and RSL, they must be set back at least 15 feet from the edge of the pavement if they exceed 3 feet in height [Section 11-41-8].

Maintenance and Enforcement

All fences and walls in the City of Mesa must be maintained in good repair. Fences that become structurally unsafe or create a hazard to public safety are prohibited [Section 11-49-2]. If a fence is found to be in violation of these standards, the City of Mesa may declare it a public nuisance and require its removal or modification [Section 11-49-4].

Sections Cited

Section 11-2-3: Rules for Measurement
Section 11-30-4: Fences and Freestanding Walls
Section 11-30-14: Visibility at Intersections
Section 11-41-8: Sight Visibility Triangles
Section 11-49-2: Deteriorated Signs
Section 11-49-4: Removal of Signs