Fence Regulations in San Clemente, CA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for San Clemente, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
San Clemente restricts fences, walls and hedges in residential zones to 3 feet 6 inches in front yards and within 5 feet of a street-side property line, rising to 6 feet in interior side yards, rear yards and the rest of the lot. Height runs from finished grade to the top of the fence under Municipal Code Section 17.24.090.
San Clemente Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 17.24.090(C)(1)
C.Standards for Fences, Walls and Hedges in Residential Zones.1.Height Limits. Table 17.24.090 provides the maximum height limit for fences, walls, and hedges in residential zones. ... Area of Lot Maximum Height Limit Front Yard Setback Area 3 ft 6 in. Interior Side Setback Area 6 ft. Street-Side Setback Area Reverse corner lot: 3 ft 6 in. Corner lot: Within 5 feet from street-side property lin...
Fence Permit Requirements
Raising a San Clemente fence, wall or hedge above the standard limit takes a discretionary permit. A Minor Exception Permit covers a front or street-side yard fence raised to 6 feet, while a Conditional Use Permit is required in the rear half of a lot for enclosures over 6 feet around tennis courts or similar private recreation areas.
San Clemente Fence Height Exception Permits
Some RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 17.24.090(C)(2)
2.Exceptions.a.A Minor Exception Permit is required to allow the height of a fence, wall or hedge in front yards and street side yard setback areas (within five feet of property line) to be increased to a maximum of six feet per Section 17.16.080, Minor Exception Permits.b.A Conditional Use Permit is required to allow the height of a fence, wall, or hedge in the rear half of a lot to exceed six...
Retaining Walls
San Clemente caps residential retaining wall height under Section 17.24.180: 3 feet 6 inches in a front yard setback, and 6 feet elsewhere on the lot, rising to 8 feet 6 inches only where the wall faces back onto the same lot. Height is measured from finished grade at the wall's lower side to its top. Taller walls need a Minor Exception Permit.
San Clemente Retaining Wall Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 17.24.180
D.Standards for Retaining Walls in Residential Zones. . .Unless otherwise provided for in the applicable zones, the following standards shall apply to retaining walls and to all structural elements supporting the retaining walls, including pilasters, trellises, etc. In addition to the regulations set forth in this section, all retaining walls shall be constructed and maintained so that they do ...
Material Restrictions
San Clemente bans barbed wire and razor fencing in every zone, residential and nonresidential alike, under Municipal Code Section 17.24.090(B)(2). The only exception is fencing needed to restrict access to public utility equipment such as high-voltage transformers.
San Clemente Barbed Wire Fence Ban
Heavy RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 17.24.090(B)(1)-(2)
B.Standards for Fences, Walls, and Hedges in All Zones.1.Maintenance. Fences, Walls or Hedges shall be constructed and maintained so that they do not constitute a hazard to traffic, persons or property.2.Prohibited Types of Fences. Barbed wire and razor fences are prohibited in all zones, except when such materials are needed to restrict access to public utility equipment such as high voltage t...
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