Fence Regulations in Fountain Valley, CA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Fountain Valley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In the City of Fountain Valley, California, fences, walls, hedges and dense shrubs may not exceed three feet in a required front yard or six feet in side and rear yards, under Municipal Code § 21.18.070. Walls along arterial highways can be extended to eight feet with the director's approval.
Fountain Valley CA Fence and Wall Height Limits
Some RestrictionsFountain Valley Municipal Code § 21.18.070
Fences, walls, lattice work screens, hedges and dense growth of shrubs or trees shall conform to the provisions of this section. (1) Front Yard. Fences, walls, lattice work, hedges and dense growth of shrubs/trees greater than three feet in height are not allowed within a required front yard. (2) Side and Rear Yards. For side and rear yards, such items are not allowed in excess of six feet in h...
Fence Permit Requirements
In the City of Fountain Valley, California, fences not over six feet high and block walls not over three feet high are exempt from a building permit under the residential code amendment in § 18.12.020. Zoning still caps fences at three feet in a required front yard and six feet in side and rear yards.
Fountain Valley Fence Permit Exemption and Height Limits
Light RestrictionsFountain Valley Municipal Code § 18.12.020
Section R105.2 is amended in the following categories of building work that are exempt from permit: ... ... 2. Fences not over six feet high and block walls not over three feet high.
Retaining Walls
In the City of Fountain Valley, California, a retaining wall that is not over four feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, is exempt from a building permit under § 18.04.020. The exemption ends if the wall supports a surcharge or impounds Class I, II or III-A liquids.
Fountain Valley Retaining Wall Permit Exemption
Some RestrictionsFountain Valley Municipal Code § 18.04.020
Section 105.2 of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code is amended in the following categories of work that are exempt from building permit: ... ... 4. Retaining walls which 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 III-A liquids.
Material Restrictions
In the City of Fountain Valley, California, Municipal Code § 21.18.070 prohibits barbed wire, razor wire and similar security wire, including broken glass, in all residential and commercial zoning districts, and bans chain link fence in the front yard setback area of every residential district.
Fountain Valley CA Barbed Wire and Chain Link Fence Ban
Significant RestrictionsFountain Valley Municipal Code § 21.18.070(5)-(6)
(5) Barbed Wire/Razor Wire Prohibited. The use of barbed wire, razor wire or similar security wire (including broken glass) shall be prohibited in all residential and commercial zoning districts. (6) Chain Link Fence. The use of chain link fence within the front yard setback area shall be prohibited in all residential zoning districts.
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fountain Valley city rules.
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