Fence Regulations in Westminster, CA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Westminster, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Westminster caps side- and rear-yard fences at 6 feet in the R1 single-family zone and 8 feet everywhere else, while front-yard fences and walls near street corners are held to 3 feet under Table 3-2 of Municipal Code § 17.300.030(B). A visibility triangle protects sightlines at intersections, and R1 lots backing a freeway must go taller, not shorter.
Westminster Fence Height Limits by Zone
Some RestrictionsWestminster Code § 17.300.030(B), Table 3-2
General Height Limitations. Fences, hedges, and walls shall comply with the height limitations outlined in Table 3-2. ... R1 zoning district, side and rear yard | 6 feet | When an R1-zoned property abuts a freeway right-of-way, fence, hedge, and wall height shall be no less than 8 feet. All zoning districts other than R1, side and rear yard | 8 feet | When the fence does not abut property in an...
Fence Permit Requirements
Westminster exempts masonry walls and fences of 4 feet or less, measured from grade on either side, from a building permit under Section 301.2.1 of the Administrative Code. Taller fences and walls fall outside that exemption and need a permit before construction, on top of any height limits the Zoning Code sets for the district.
Westminster Fence Permit Threshold
Some RestrictionsWestminster Code § 15.04.050
301.2.1 Building permits. A building permit shall not be required for the following: ... 2. Masonry walls or fences not over 4 feet high from grade on either side. ... Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the technical codes or any other laws or ordinances of the City.
Retaining Walls
Westminster exempts retaining walls of 4 feet or less, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, from a building permit under Section 301.2.1 of the Administrative Code. Taller retaining walls need a permit, plans, and typically engineering review before the Building Official will approve construction.
Westminster Retaining Wall Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsWestminster Code § 15.04.050
301.2.1 Building permits. A building permit shall not be required for the following: ... 3. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. ... Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the technical codes...
Material Restrictions
Westminster bans chain-link, corrugated metal and fiberglass fencing, plus tennis windscreens, from front and street-side yards under § 17.300.030(D), and bars electrified fencing, concertina wire and razor wire citywide as security fencing under § 17.300.030(G). Barbed wire is prohibited outright in the R1 through R5 residential zones.
Westminster Prohibited Fence Materials
Significant RestrictionsWestminster Code § 17.300.030(D), (G), (H)
Materials and Design. Fences and walls should be built with attractive, durable materials, including, but not limited to, redwood, wrought iron, textured concrete block, or formed concrete with reveals. Chainlink fencing, corrugated metal fencing, and/or fiberglass fencing, and "tennis windscreens" are not permitted within the front yard or street side yard areas. ... Security Fencing. Fences i...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Westminster city rules.
Fence Regulations in Orange County →