Fence Regulations in Palm Springs, CA (2026)
5 verified fence regulations for Palm Springs, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Palm Springs caps walls and fences at six feet in side and rear yards and four and a half feet in front and side front yards under Zoning Code Section 93.02.00. Near a street corner, the corner cutback triangle limits fences and landscaping to three and a half feet so drivers can see cross traffic.
Palm Springs Fence Height and Corner Rules
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Zoning Code Sec. 93.02.00(D)-(E) (Walls, Fences and Landscaping - Intersection Visibility; Height Standards)
There shall be no visual obstructions as defined in this Zoning Code within the corner cutback area. The corner cutback area is defined as the triangular area created by a 45 degree angle line on a horizontal plane connecting two points on intersecting property lines ... In residential zones, the corner cutback area shall consist of a triangular area created by the diagonal connection of two po...
Fence Permit Requirements
Palm Springs requires a building permit for most fences and walls, but Municipal Code § 8.04.015 exempts solid fences and walls up to 42 inches high and open fences, built with at least 90 percent open surface area, up to 48 inches high. Anything taller, or any solid fence over the 42-inch line, needs a permit from the Department of Building and Safety before construction starts.
Palm Springs Fence Permit Exemption
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 8.04.015 (CBC § 105.2, item 2)
105.2 Work exempt from permit. Building: 2. Solid fences or walls not over 42" high and open fences (must have an open surface area of at least 90 percent or more) not over 48" high.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Palm Springs defers to California Civil Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) for shared boundary fences. Adjoining property owners are presumed to benefit equally from a boundary fence and share the cost of reasonable construction, maintenance, and repair. A 30-day written notice is required before demanding contribution, and disputes proceed in civil court, not via the city.
Palm Springs Neighbor Fence and Boundary Rules
Few RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code § 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, maint...
Retaining Walls
Palm Springs exempts short retaining walls from a building permit under Municipal Code § 8.04.015, amending CBC § 105.2. A retaining wall not over 3 feet high, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, needs no permit unless it holds back a surcharge or impounds flammable or combustible liquids. Taller walls, or any wall carrying a surcharge load, require a full building permit.
Palm Springs Retaining Wall Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 8.04.015 (CBC § 105.2, item 4)
105.2. Work exempt from permit. Building: 4. Retaining walls that are not over 3 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable or combustible liquids.
Material Restrictions
Palm Springs bans barbed wire and razor wire fencing citywide except for governmental or quasi-governmental agencies, or with Planning Commission approval, under Zoning Code Section 93.02.00(C). Chain-link fencing is off-limits in front and side front yards, though it remains allowed elsewhere on a residential lot.
Palm Springs Barbed Wire and Chain-Link Rules
Significant RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Zoning Code Sec. 93.02.00(C) (Walls, Fences and Landscaping - Prohibited Materials)
No barbed wire, razor wire or similar material shall be permitted, except for use by governmental or quasigovernmental agencies, or unless otherwise approved by the planning commission. Except as elsewhere permitted or for use by governmental or quasi-governmental agencies, chain-link fences may not be used in front or side front yards.
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Palm Springs city rules.
Fence Regulations in Riverside County →