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7-foot fences possible option for Manteca
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Manteca may allow residential fences to go as high as 7 feet instead of the existing maximum of 6 feet.

The proposal that’s before the Manteca Planning Commission on Tuesday, however, is not favored by Manteca Police. The department has gone on record opposing the change based on the ability of officers and police dogs to scale fences.

Typically police officers don’t go over fences but instead send police dogs. The police narcotics and K9 supervisor believes 7-foot fences would be too high for dogs to scale and would increase the potential for injury.

At the same time, though 7-foot fences would also be more difficult for fleeing criminals to scale.

The city has had feedback from citizens unhappy that fences are maxed at 6 feet. At the same time, some residents have installed 7-foot fences as allowed under the state building code.

Mantecas’s proposed change to the fence ordinance is to make the city rule consistent with the state’s rule. Just like a 6-foot fence, a 7-foot fence would not require a building permit.

Here’s what nearby cities allow:

6-foot maximum height in Ripon and Lodi.

7-foot maximum height in Lathrop.

8-foot maximum height in Tracy, Escalon, and Modesto.

6-foot is allowed in Galt without any city OK, up to 8-foot is allowed with a minor use permit, and up to 10 feet with a conditional use permit.

7-foot is allowed in Elk Grove with up to 8-foot with a building permit.

6-foot is allowed in Stockton along with an extra foot of open weave of similar material for a maximum 7-foot height.

The Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St.