Fence Regulations in Pasadena, CA (2026)
5 verified fence regulations for Pasadena, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Pasadena caps fence and wall height by location on the lot: six feet in interior side and rear setbacks, four feet in the front setback, and just 30 inches within the driveway visibility triangle, under Zoning Code Section 17.40.180.B.2 for the RS and RM-12 districts.
Pasadena Fence Height Limits By Zone
Some RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code § 17.40.180.B.2
a.Abutting OS or PS zoning district — six feet. In interior side or rear setbacks abutting property in a OS or PS zoning district or abutting property with a residential use, the maximum wall or fence height shall be six feet...c.Front setback — four feet. Between the front property line and the occupancy frontage, the maximum wall or fence height shall be four feet. Walls and fences in the fro...
Fence Permit Requirements
Pasadena requires a building permit from the Permit Center for any block wall over 48 inches of exposed height, per Municipal Code Section 14.03.060.B.1.b; shorter walls may instead need a zoning permit. Citywide standards in Section 17.40.180 then cap fence and wall heights at six feet along side and rear yards and four feet in the front setback, with tighter limits near street corners.
Pasadena Fence and Wall Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code § 14.03.060.B.1.b
1.Building Permits: A building permit shall not be required for the following in addition to the requirements of the California Building Code section 105.2 and California Residential Code section R105.2:a.One story detached accessory buildings or structures used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses or similar uses... b.Construction of block walls over 48" in exposed height require a building pe...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Pasadena does not require neighbor consent for fence installation. Under California Civil Code, boundary fences are a shared responsibility. The good neighbor rule suggests the finished side face outward.
Pasadena Fence Neighbor & Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act)
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, ...
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls built to support cuts or fills on Pasadena hillside lots cannot exceed a cumulative height of 8 feet, and freeboard is capped at 6 inches and counted toward that limit. Taller walls need a licensed engineer, earth-tone materials and city approval under Municipal Code Section 14.05.250.
Pasadena Retaining Wall Height Limit Rules
Some RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code § 14.05.250
A.The cumulative height of retaining walls (existing, new, replacement or combination) built because of cuts or fills pursuant to this chapter shall not exceed 8 feet in height as viewed in the vertical plane. The height of freeboard shall be included in measuring the height of retaining walls.B.Retaining walls shall be constructed with a minimum of freeboard not to exceed a maximum of 6 inches...
Material Restrictions
Pasadena bans barbed wire, concertina wire and razor wire on residential fences and walls outright, under Zoning Code Section 17.40.180.B.2.i, and separately restricts spiked fence toppers to walls at least six feet tall.
Pasadena Bars Barbed Wire Residential Fences
Heavy RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code § 17.40.180.B.2.g-i, B.4.a.(4)(b)
g.Spikes on walls and fences are not allowed when the walls or fences are less than six feet in height.h.Private streets or easements. Fences, gates or walls shall not be constructed within or across private or public streets or easements that serve more than one property.i.Prohibited materials. Barbed wire, concertino wire and razor wire shall not be allowed. ... (b)Barbed wire, concertina wir...
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