Fence Regulations in Fullerton, CA (2026)
5 verified fence regulations for Fullerton, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Fullerton Municipal Code 15.17.050 caps fences and walls in the front yard setback at 36 inches and along side and rear yards at 6 feet. Non-view-obscuring fences may go to 6 feet in setbacks with Director of Development Services approval.
Front yard 36 in; side/rear 6 ft
Some RestrictionsFullerton Municipal Code Section 15.17.050.F (Site development standards for R-1, R-1P, R-2 and R-2P zone classifications)
The height of non-retaining walls, fences, hedges or guardrails shall be in accordance with Table 15.17.050.F. Non-view-obscuring fences may go to a height of six feet with the approval of the Director of Development Services.
Fence Permit Requirements
Under Fullerton Municipal Code 14.04.050, masonry or concrete fences three feet or shorter and all other fences six feet or shorter are exempt from building permits. Taller fences and most retaining walls still require a permit and zoning review.
No permit for fences <=6 ft (<=3 ft if masonry)
Some RestrictionsFullerton Municipal Code Section 14.04.050 (Amendment to CRC Section R105.2, Work exempt from permit)
Masonry or concrete fences not over 3 feet (1066.8 mm) in height above lowest adjacent grade, and all other fences not over 6 feet (1,828.8 mm) in height above lowest adjacent grade are exempt from permit requirements. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or a...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Fullerton defers to California Civil Code Sections 841-841.4 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) for shared boundary fence disputes. Adjoining property owners share equal responsibility for maintaining a reasonable boundary fence. The city does not mediate private fence disputes but enforces zoning compliance.
Fullerton Neighbor Fence Rules and Shared Boundaries
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code § 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act)
(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, maint...
Retaining Walls
A Fullerton retaining wall over three feet in a front yard, or over four feet in a rear or side yard, needs Director of Development Services approval before it can go in. Fullerton Municipal Code § 15.17.050(G)(2) sets the review trigger and a minor site plan requirement for walls that enlarge buildable area.
Fullerton Retaining Wall Height Review Rule
Some RestrictionsFullerton Code of Ordinances § 15.17.050(G)(2)
(2) (a) Any retaining wall higher than three feet within a front yard setback and higher than four feet within the rear or side yard setback shall be subject to the approval of the Director of Development Services. (b) A proposed retaining wall above these heights, which in the opinion of the Director is being constructed to enlarge the buildable area on the lot, shall be subject...
Material Restrictions
Fullerton Municipal Code 15.17.050 does not enumerate prohibited fence materials, but the Director of Development Services reviews construction materials for compatibility and vision clearance whenever a non-view-obscuring exception is requested. Standard residential fences are typically wood, vinyl, masonry, or wrought-iron.
Materials reviewed by Director; visibility limits apply
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 841(a)-(b)
(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, mainte...
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