Fence Regulations in Lakewood, CA

If you live in Lakewood or are thinking about moving there, fence regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Lakewood has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fence regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Fence Permit Requirements

Lakewood exempts most residential fences from a building permit: wire fencing up to twelve feet and any other fence up to six feet can go up without one. Masonry walls are treated differently under Municipal Code Section 8102.b: any masonry wall taller than forty-two inches needs a Building Code permit, no matter how short a wood or wire fence next to it would be exempt.

Key details: Governing section: Lakewood Municipal Code Sec. 8102.b. No permit needed: Wire fences to 12 ft, other fences to 6 ft. Permit required: Masonry walls over 42 inches. Amends: 2025 California Building Code Sec. 105.2, Item 2. Last amended: November 11, 2025 by Ordinance No. 2025-2.

Building a masonry wall over forty-two inches without the Section 8102.b permit is a mandatory Municipal Code requirement left unmet, which Section 1200 makes a misdemeanor: a fine up to the state misdemeanor maximum, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day the unpermitted wall stands charged as a separate offense. The Building Division can also require the wall removed or retroactively permitted before any related final inspection is granted.

Material Restrictions

Lakewood Municipal Code Section 8014 bans barbed wire, sharp-pointed fencing, and electrically charged wire fences anywhere in the city unless the City Planning Commission first issues a permit under the zoning chapter. Absent that permit, putting up or keeping any of these fence types on a residential or commercial lot is unlawful, regardless of the property's zoning designation.

Key details: Governing section: Lakewood Municipal Code Sec. 8014. Banned fencing: Barbed wire, sharp-pointed fencing, electrified wire. Exception: Permit from the City Planning Commission. Permit procedure: Same as zoning variance/CUP hearings (Art. IX Ch. 3). Original compliance window: 90 days under Sec. 8015 (Ord. 105).

Maintaining a barbed wire, sharp-pointed, or electrically charged fence without a Planning Commission permit violates a mandatory requirement of the Municipal Code. Under Section 1200, that is a misdemeanor: a fine up to the state's maximum misdemeanor fine, up to six months in County or City jail, or both, with each day the fence remains up counted as a separate offense. Section 1200 also lets the City treat the condition as a public nuisance and summarily abate it.

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

Height Limits

Lakewood caps a residential fence, wall, or hedge at 7 feet 6 inches in the rear yard and side yards that don't touch the front setback, but drops that limit to 42 inches anywhere within the required front yard or an adjacent side yard, under Municipal Code Section 9384(A)-(B); the Development Review Board can approve taller structures case by case.

Key details: Rear/side yard max: 7 ft 6 in. Front yard/adjacent side yard max: 42 inches. Commercial/industrial max: 8 feet. School/park fences: Up to 8 feet. West San Gabriel River lots: Up to 8 ft, no DRB review needed.

A fence, wall, or hedge exceeding these limits without Development Review Board approval is a zoning violation enforceable under the Municipal Code's general penalty section, 1200, as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to the state misdemeanor maximum or up to six months in jail, or as a cited infraction with escalating fines for repeat violations. Under Section 9384(K), the Community Development Director may instead refer a noncompliant fence to a public hearing before the DRB or the Planning and Environment Commission to resolve neighborhood compatibility concerns before pursuing a citation.

The Bottom Line

Lakewood'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 Lakewood is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Lakewood's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.