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.
Play Pen Yard
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 0 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?"
Christmas Sales North States Superyard Classic XT Gate Play Yard, Packaging May Vary 201
Dec 10, 2011 08:20:55
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Christmas Sales North States Superyard Classic XT Gate Play Yard, Packaging May Vary Feature
- 26" high,convenient carrying strap included
- 6 panels, hexagonal shape- offers 18.5 square feet of play area
- Can be set up in seconds and used indoors or outdoors
- Lightweight and portable
- Item will be shipped in either of the following packaging: Color carton (Model number: 8666) and Brown carton (Model number 8669)
Christmas Sales North States Superyard Classic XT Gate Play Yard, Packaging May Vary Overview
Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, the North States Superyard XT is an excellent solution for creating a safe enclosed area for kids and pets anywhere from the backyard to the play room. Made of durable, weather-resistant plastic, the portable play yard provides 18.5 square feet of protected play space, and it can be reconfigured into different shapes to fit a variety of spaces. For added convenience, the play yard sets up and breaks down in a matter of seconds.
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 Keep children safe with the Superyard XT. View larger. |
For busy parents and dog-owners wishing to contain their children or pets in a safe, sturdy play area while they attend to tasks, the Superyard XT is the answer. Made of durable reinforced plastic, this gate weathers both outdoor elements and the wear-and-tear of play time, so you can look forward to years of use.
Do you want to keep your dog nearby while you spend a few hours in the garden? Or finish chores in the house while keeping the little ones safe and entertained? The Superyard XT makes it all possible. Weighing less than 20 pounds, this lightweight gate folds flat and even comes with a carrying strap, making it easy to carry everywhere from the park to the babysitter's.
Easy to Assemble and Adjust
Setting up the Superyard XT is hassle-free. The six interlocking panels are pre-connected--simply pull the panels out of box, unfold and connect them together, and the Superyard XT is ready for use. To put away, simply disconnect one panel, fold together, and store. The Superyard XT is so easy you can set it up and take it down in under a minute. The hassle-free panels also give you quick and convenient access to your child or pet.
Measuring 26 inches high with a diameter of 18.5 square feet, this size-adjustable play yard provides an ample play area. If you'd like to extend the Superyard XT's overall diameter, consider purchasing a two-panel extension kit (sold separately) which increases the play yard's space from 18.5 to a generous 34 square feet.
Versatile Design Offers Many Uses
With its sturdy, flexible construction, the Superyard XT has many convenient uses. For example, you can use it as an enclosure to keep cruising babies or pets away from potentially unsafe settings, such as Christmas tree displays, office areas, storage areas, and more. And if you have a new puppy or kitten, you might also considering using the play yard as an area for house training or a timeout area for a naughty puppy.
To ensure 100% satisfaction with your purchase, all North States products come with a one year warranty against manufacturer's defect.
About North States
Located in Blaine, Minnesota, North States Industries offers versatile and economical gates and enclosures in the juvenile and pet categories. All of the company's products are certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association for safety, and are engineered to provide the highest quality, durability and ease of use.
What's in the Box
North States Superyard XT with six interlocking panels (each panel measuring 26 inches by 30 inches), a carry-strap, and instructions for use.
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The versatile Superyard XT can be configured in a variety of ways to fit your needs. | ||
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