Fence Regulations in Burbank, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Burbank or are thinking about moving there, fence regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Burbank has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fence regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Pool Barriers

Pool barriers must be minimum 60 inches tall per CA Building Code Title 24, Chapter 31. Self-closing, self-latching gates required. At least one additional safety feature (pool cover, alarm, or self-closing doors) mandated under the CA Swimming Pool Safety Act.

Key details: Barrier Height: 60 inches minimum. Gates: Self-closing, self-latching. Additional Feature: Cover, alarm, or auto-close door. State Law: CA HSC 115920-115929.

Non-compliant barriers: immediate correction required. Fines $100 to $500. Pool use prohibited until barriers meet code. Liability exposure for accidents.

This is one of the stricter rules in Burbank's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Neighbor Fence Rules

CA Civil Code 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) requires shared cost for boundary fences. Burbank allows fence exception permits for disputes. Spite fences over 10 ft are a private nuisance under CA Civil Code 841.4.

Key details: Shared Cost: CA Civil Code 841. Spite Fence: >10 ft = nuisance (CC 841.4). Exception Permit: Available for non-standard requests. Side/Rear Max: 6 ft standard.

Enforcement is complaint-based. About two dozen residents annually are found in violation, most resolving by trimming hedges or adjusting fence heights.

Material Restrictions

Burbank Municipal Code 10-1-603 and 10-1-628 prohibit fences, walls, and hedges from being composed of dangerous wire (razor, barbed, electric, or similar), and Table 10-1-603(A) requires any portion of a front-yard fence or wall over 3 feet to use an open design that is at least 50% see-through.

Key details: Prohibited materials: Razor, barbed, electric, or similar dangerous wire. Front-yard open design (R-1 table): Over 3 ft must be >=50% open. Front/side open design (R-1 update): Over 2 ft must be >=50% open. Ornamentation allowance: Up to 18 in / 5 ft 6 in, spaced 4 ft on center. Code Section: BMC 10-1-603(G); 10-1-628(H); Table notes.

Installing prohibited razor, barbed, or electric wire, or a solid (non-open) front-yard fence over the applicable height trigger, is a zoning violation under BMC 10-1-603 / 10-1-628 enforced by Community Development; the City can order the material removed or the fence rebuilt to the open-design standard, and a Fence Exception Permit may be required to deviate.

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls under 4 ft (bottom of footing to top) are permit-exempt unless supporting a surcharge. Front yard setback allows max 4 ft combined fence/retaining wall height. Only two retaining walls per front yard, min 8 ft apart (6 ft with Director approval). All downslope walls must be screened with vegetation.

Key details: Permit Exempt: Under 4 ft, no surcharge. Front Yard Max: 4 ft combined wall + fence. Max Count: 2 retaining walls in front yard. Spacing: Min 8 ft apart (6 ft with approval). Screening: Vegetation required on downslope face.

Unpermitted walls: stop-work order, required engineering review, potential demolition. Fines $200 to $1,000.

Height Limits

In Burbank's single-family R-1 zone, fences and walls are limited to 4 feet within the front-yard setback (6 feet for hedges), 6 to 8 feet within the street-facing side yard, and 8 feet elsewhere, all under Burbank Municipal Code Section 10-1-603 and Table 10-1-603(A).

Key details: Front yard setback (R-1): 4 ft fences/walls; 6 ft hedges. Street-facing side yard (R-1): 6 ft to rear of house; 8 ft to rear of lot. Outside front/side setback (R-1): 8 ft (12 ft hedges). Multi-family front/side (R-2-R-5): 8 ft (12 ft hedges). Code Section: BMC 10-1-603, Table 10-1-603(A); 10-1-628, Table 10-1-628(A).

Fences exceeding the height limits in BMC 10-1-603 / 10-1-628 are zoning violations enforced by the Community Development Department; nonconforming fences and walls established before October 17, 2008 may be subject to abeyance under Section 10-1-19202, while newer over-height fences can be ordered lowered or removed and may require a Minor or Major Fence Exception Permit to remain.

Permit Requirements

Under the California Building Code (adopted by Burbank), fences not over 7 feet high are exempt from a building permit, while Burbank's zoning code requires a planning-side Minor Fence Exception Permit (for over-height up to 6 ft) or Major Fence Exception Permit (over 6 ft) to exceed the standards in BMC 10-1-603 and 10-1-628.

Key details: Building permit exempt (fence): Not over 7 ft (CBC 105.2). Building permit exempt (retaining wall): Not over 4 ft, no surcharge (CBC 105.2). Minor Fence Exception Permit: Over-height up to 6 ft - BMC 10-1-19200. Major Fence Exception Permit: Over-height greater than 6 ft - BMC 10-1-19201. Hillside threshold: Minor up to 8 ft; Major over 8 ft (BMC 10-1-606).

Building a fence over 7 feet (or a retaining wall over 4 feet) without the required building permit, or exceeding the zoning standards without a Minor or Major Fence Exception Permit, is a violation; the City may issue stop-work and correction notices, require permits after the fact, and order non-conforming fences lowered or removed.

The Bottom Line

Burbank's fence regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Burbank is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Burbank can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.