Fence Regulations in Costa Mesa, CA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Costa Mesa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Costa Mesa caps fences and walls at three and a half feet within five feet of a corner lot's street side property line, and at two and a half feet inside any visibility triangle. Decorative caps, finials and lights may add up to 12 inches above the limit, and height is always measured from the highest finished grade at the base.
Costa Mesa Fence Height & Corner Lot Limits
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code § 13-75(c), (d), (i), (k)
(c) On corner lots, wall and fences in excess of three and a half feet in height shall be set back five feet from the street side property line. (d) In commercial zones, including planned development: All interior property lines abutting residentially zoned property shall have solid masonry walls, at least six feet but no more than eight feet in height, unless an environmental study requires ad...
Fence Permit Requirements
Costa Mesa exempts wood, steel, vinyl and iron fences up to six feet tall, and stucco, concrete or masonry fences up to three feet tall, from needing a building permit. Anything taller, or built adjacent to a public street, needs a permit and planning review before construction begins.
Costa Mesa Fence Building Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code § 5-1.3(a) (amending CRC § R105.2, Exception 2)
(d) Section 105.2 is revised by amending exception 2, 9, and adding 14 as follows: 2. Wood, Steel, Vinyl, or Iron fences not over 6 feet in height. Stucco, concrete, and masonry brick fences not over 3 feet high.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Costa Mesa defers to California Civil Code Sections 841-841.4 for shared boundary fence responsibilities. Adjoining landowners are presumed to share equally the cost of maintaining boundary fences under the Good Neighbor Fence Act.
Costa Mesa Neighbor Fence Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code §841 — Good Neighbor Fence Act
841. (a) 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, ...
Material Restrictions
Costa Mesa bans barbed wire, razor wire and electrified fencing in setbacks facing a street or near residential property, and bans electrified fencing citywide in every zone. Chain link fencing visible from a public street is prohibited in residential zones, and owners must remove it once qualifying permits reach $30,000.
Costa Mesa Barbed Wire & Chain Link Fence Rules
Significant RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code § 13-75(l), (m), (n)
(l) It is unlawful to construct, install, maintain or allow to exist any barbed wire, razor wire, concertina ribbon or similar item in any required setback abutting a public right-of-way, a required setback adjacent to a residential development or on a property with residential development. In all other locations, barbed wire, razor wire, concertina ribbon and similar items shall maintain a min...
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