Fence Regulations in Lancaster, CA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Lancaster, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Lancaster caps residential fences at 4 feet within the front yard setback or a corner lot's street-side setback, and at 6 feet everywhere else in the side or rear yard. Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.130.D sets the two-tier table, and Sec. 17.08.130.C fixes how the height itself is measured from finished grade.
Lancaster Residential Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.130.C-D (Fences, Walls, and Screening)
D.Fence Height Limits. Location Maximum Height Within front yard setback or corner lot side yard setback located at or behind the property line 4 feet Within side or rear yard setback or along/behind corner lot side yard setback located at or behind the property line 6 feet
Fence Permit Requirements
A Lancaster fence that would exceed the standard 4-foot front-yard or 6-foot side/rear-yard limit needs a director's review under Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.130.E. The review can raise the allowed height by up to 25 percent above the base standard, but only after the applicant satisfies five specific findings tied to the property and neighborhood.
Lancaster Fence Height Variance Permit
Significant RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.130.E (Fences, Walls, and Screening - Consideration for Additional Height)
E.Consideration for Additional Height. A fence or wall may be constructed to a height in excess of the limits established by subsection 17.08.130.D. with a director's review. The director's review may increase the maximum height regulations not to exceed 25% of the amount specified in Section 17.08.130.D. The director's review shall require that the applicant make the following findings, in add...
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls up to 6 feet tall are allowed in any required yard on commercial-zoned property in Lancaster, and a fence up to 3.5 feet may sit on top for safety. Going higher requires a director's review, per Municipal Code Section 17.12.130.
Lancaster Retaining Wall Height Limit
Some RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 17.12.130.B.2.a.3, .a.4 and .a.7 (Property development regulations—C zone; retaining walls)
3.Retaining Walls. Retaining walls not to exceed 6 feet in height are permitted in all yards.4.Retaining Walls Topped with Walls or Fences.a.Where a retaining wall protects a cut below the natural grade and is located on a front, side or rear lot line, such retaining wall may be topped by a fence or wall of the same height that would otherwise be permitted at the location if no retaining wall e...
Material Restrictions
Lancaster bans several fencing materials outright for residential properties. Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.130.I prohibits chain link, barbed wire, razor wire, electrical fencing, glass, and 'other similar objects of a hazardous characteristic' anywhere fences enclose a residential use, with a narrow carve-out for temporary chain-link fencing on vacant lots.
Lancaster Prohibited Residential Fence Materials
Significant RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.130.I (Fences, Walls, and Screening - Prohibited Fence Materials)
I.Prohibited Fence Materials. The use of chain link, barbed wire, razor wire, electrical fence, glass and other similar objects of a hazardous characteristic shall not be permitted for residential uses.J.Temporary Fencing. A temporary fence may be installed for vacant properties with an approval of a Director's Review subject to time limits, materials, and other conditions of approval. Temporar...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lancaster city rules.
Fence Regulations in Los Angeles County →