Fence Regulations in Palm Desert, CA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Palm Desert, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In the City of Palm Desert, California, Palm Desert Municipal Code § 25.40.080 caps residential fences at 3 feet 6 inches at 7 feet from the curb face, stepping up to 3 feet 7 inches to 4 feet 11 inches at 15 feet and 5 to 6 feet at 20 feet. Fences and walls behind the front building setback top out at 6 feet.
Palm Desert Residential Fence Height Limits and Corner Visibility
Some RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 25.40.080
Table 25.40-2: ... Location, Height and Material Standards by Fence Type Fence Type Location Height (max or range) Materials Walls and Fences in Front and Side Setbacks Short fence 7′-0″ from curb face1 3′6″ Decorative materials including decorative blocks, stucco or wrought iron Moderate height fence 15′-0″ from curb face1,2 3′7″ to 4′11″ Decorative materials including decorative blocks, stucc...
Fence Permit Requirements
In the City of Palm Desert, a wood, vinyl or open wrought iron fence, or a block wall, that is not over 3 feet 6 inches high needs no building permit unless it is part of a swimming pool or spa safety barrier. Planning Division approval of location and materials is still required, and retaining walls follow a matching 3 feet 6 inches limit.
Palm Desert Fence Permit Requirements and Exemptions
Some RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 15.02.020
Section 105.2 is amended by modifying Item 2 under Building, to read as follows: 1. Wood, vinyl, or open wrought iron fences; block walls, pilasters, and gravity interlocking walls, that are not over 3 feet 6 inches (1,066.8 mm) high and not associated with a swimming pool or spa safety barrier. The City's Planning Division must approve the location and materials despite the exemption from a pe...
Retaining Walls
In the City of Palm Desert, Table 25.40-2 caps a retaining wall on a rear or interior side property line at 6′-0″ for a cut slope, measured from the highest adjoining grade, and at 6′-0″ for a fill slope, measured from the lowest adjoining grade. Every retaining wall also needs approval by the public works department.
Retaining Wall Height Limits in the City of Palm Desert, California
Some RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 25.40.080
In addition, retaining walls will require approval by the public works department. ... Retaining walls and combinations of retaining and wrought iron fences (cut slope) Rear or interior side property line associated with a cut slope 6′-0″ (highest adjoining grade) Decorative block, stucco or wrought iron Retaining walls (fill slope) Rear or interior side property line associated with a fill slo...
Material Restrictions
In the City of Palm Desert, California, Palm Desert Municipal Code § 25.40.080 limits residential fences and walls to the materials listed in Table 25.40-2: decorative block, stucco and wrought iron where a fence is visible, with wood only where it cannot be seen from the right-of-way. The code names wood and vinyl fences as nonconforming materials needing an exception.
Palm Desert Residential Fence Material Restrictions
Some RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 25.40.080
A. Purpose and applicability. ... The development standards provided in Table 25.40-2 (Location, Height and Material Standards by Fence Type) apply to fences and walls within the RE, R-1, R-2, R-3 and PR district on residential lots. ... Walls and fences, not visible from ROW Behind front building setback 6′-0″ Block—all types; redwood, cedar or other approved decay-resistant wood product; wrou...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Palm Desert city rules.
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