Fence Regulations in Compton, CA (2026)
5 verified fence regulations for Compton, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Compton's Table 30-44.A sets exact fence heights by zone and yard rather than one citywide number. Residential front yards facing a residential street top out at 3 1/2 feet, front yards facing a highway can reach 5 feet, and rear or side yards must run 5 to 6 feet solid, rising to 5 to 8 feet where they back onto rights-of-way, schools, or commercial and manufacturing zones.
Compton Fence Height Limits by Zone
Some RestrictionsCompton, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 30-44.3 (Fencing Standards), Table 30-44.A
Table 30-44.A Fencing Standards Standard Status Height Provisions Residential Zones or Uses Front Yards Abutting Residential Streets Optional 0 feet Minimum - 3 1/2 feet Maximum Open or Combination Front Yards Abutting Nonresidential Streets and Major and Secondary Highways Optional 0 feet Minimum - 5 feet Maximum Open or Combination Rear and Side Yards Abutting Residential Zones Required 5 fee...
Fence Permit Requirements
Compton doesn't require Architectural Review Board sign-off for every fence, but Section 30-44.3(d) mandates it for any fence or gate built along a major or secondary highway. Rear yard fences on single-family lots skip that review unless the Planning Commission or an approved Corridor Improvement Plan says otherwise, and the Board can separately approve permits for minor deviations from the standard height and material rules.
Compton Fence Approval Requirements
Some RestrictionsCompton, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 30-44.3(d) (Fencing Standards, Architectural Review Board)
d. Architectural Review Board. The Architectural Review Board shall approve all fences and gates constructed along major or secondary highways. Rear yard fences for single-family homes are exempted from review except as required by the Planning Commission or an approved Corridor Improvement Plan.
Neighbor Fence Rules
California's Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code 841) applies in Compton. Adjoining landowners share equal responsibility for boundary fence costs. Disputes are resolved through the statutory notice process before legal action.
Compton Fence Neighbor Setback and Conformance Rules
Light RestrictionsCal. Civil Code § 841 (Fences - Neighbor Rules)
Adjoining landowners shall share equally in the responsibility for maintaining the boundaries and monuments between them. (b) (1) Adjoining landowners are presumed to share an equal benefit from any fence dividing their properties and, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties in a written agreement, shall be presumed to be equally responsible for the reasonable costs of construction, maintenan...
Retaining Walls
Compton requires a building permit for any retaining wall over four feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. Shorter walls are permit-exempt unless they hold back a surcharge or store hazardous liquids.
Compton Retaining Wall Height and Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsCompton, CA, Municipal Code § 15-4.2 (2019 California Building Code - Amendments, Section 105.2)
Section 105.2 Work Exempt from Permit - Amended. 105.2 Work exempt from permit. ... Permits shall not be required for the following: a. Building: ... 4. Retaining walls that are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.
Material Restrictions
Compton bans a specific list of fencing materials citywide regardless of zone: corrugated or sheet metal and tin, chicken wire, fiberglass, non-fencing wood products like plywood, used or salvaged materials such as tires and railroad ties, electrified fencing, and razor wire, concertina wire, or cut glass. A narrow exception lets up to three strands of barbed wire top property-line fences in manufacturing zones that don't abut residential property.
Compton Prohibited Fence Materials Rule
Significant RestrictionsCompton, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 30-44.4 (Fencing Materials)
g. Barbed Wire. A maximum of three strands of barbed wire may be used along property line fences which do not abut residential zones within the M-L and M-H Zones. h. Prohibited Materials. (For exception, see subsection 30-20.5i of this Chapter.) 1. Corrugated metal, sheet metal, tin and similar materials. 2. Chicken wire. 3. Fiberglass products. 4. Plywood, panel board or other wood products no...
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