Fence Regulations in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
5 verified fence regulations for Santa Monica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Front-yard fences, walls, and hedges are capped at 42 inches; side and rear fences and walls may be up to 8 feet, while hedges in those setbacks may reach 12 feet.
Fences: Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.21.050
A. Height. The maximum allowed height of fences, walls, dense hedges, and related structures is as follows. 1. Front Setbacks. Fences, walls, and hedges shall be limited to the maximum heights stated below within front setbacks. For the purpose of regulating the height of fences, walls, and hedges, the front setback area shall be considered to be the area between the front or street side parcel...
Fence Permit Requirements
Exceeding Santa Monica's standard fence or wall height limit requires a permit. Increases up to 4 feet above the limit in side/rear setbacks can be approved administratively with adjacent owner consent; larger increases require a discretionary hearing.
Fences: Permits
Light RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.43.050; § 9.43.080
§ 9.43.050. A. Side and Rear Setbacks, Administrative Procedure. An increased maximum height of fences, walls and hedges up to 4 feet above the height limit may be granted, subject to Section 9.43.080. B. Front, Side, and Rear Setbacks, Discretionary Procedure. An increased maximum height of fences, walls and hedges more than 4 feet above the height limit may be considered, subject to Section 9...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Boundary fences in Santa Monica follow CA Civil Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) for shared cost. Spite fences over 10 ft are a private nuisance under CA Civil Code §841.4. Disputes are a civil matter between neighbors.
Santa Monica Fence Neighbor Rules
Few 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 four feet tall or less (measured from footing bottom to wall top) are permit-exempt in Santa Monica; taller walls require a building permit and must comply with seismic design standards, including a prohibition on wood construction for walls over four feet in Seismic Design Categories D, E, or F.
Fences: Retaining Walls
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 8.08.050(c)(5); § 8.12.140(j)
§ 8.08.050(c)(5). Work Exempt from Building Permit: Retaining walls that are not over four feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids. § 8.12.140(j). Retaining Walls. Section 1807.2 of the California Building Code is amended to read as follows: 1807.2 Retaining walls. Retaining walls shall be desi...
Material Restrictions
In residential zones, barbed wire (especially concertina wire), electrically energized fences, and fences with jagged edges such as glass or nails are prohibited; wooden, picket, and decorative metal fences are permitted.
Fences: Material Restrictions
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 3.36.240
§ 3.36.240. Fences and walls. Fences and walls shall not be constructed or maintained in a manner which creates a hazard to life, health or safety. (a) Residential Zones. Fences and walls which are made of barbed wire, particularly strand or concertina wire; electrically energized fences or walls; and fences or walls with jagged edges, i.e., materials such as glass, nails or metal placed atop o...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Monica city rules.
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