Height Limits: Costa Mesa vs Irvine
How do height limits rules compare between Costa Mesa, CA and Irvine, CA?
Costa Mesa and Irvine have similar restriction levels.
Costa Mesa, CA
Orange County
Costa Mesa limits front setback fences to 3 feet and side/rear fences to 6 feet maximum. Corner lots require fences over 36 inches to be set back 5 feet from the street side property line. Fences exceeding maximums require discretionary review.
View full Costa Mesa rules →Irvine, CA
Orange County
Irvine limits residential fences to a maximum of 7 feet in side and rear yards and 2.5 feet in front setback areas under the Irvine Zoning Ordinance. Fences over 7 feet in required setback areas need Administrative Relief approval.
View full Irvine rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Costa Mesa | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Front Setback | 3 feet maximum (10 ft zone) | 2.5 ft maximum |
| Side/Rear | 6 feet maximum | - |
| Corner Lots | 5 ft setback if over 36 inches | - |
| Over-Height | Discretionary review required | - |
| Permits | Required for fence construction | - |
| Side/Rear Yards | - | 7 ft maximum |
| Over 7 ft | - | Administrative Relief required |
| Masonry Over 6 ft | - | Engineering calculations needed |
| Contact | - | Planning (949) 724-6308 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Costa Mesa FAQ
How tall can my fence be in Costa Mesa?
Front setback fences are limited to 3 feet. Side and rear fences may be up to 6 feet. Fences exceeding these limits require discretionary review.
What are the corner lot rules?
On corner lots in R2-MD, R2-HD, and R-3 zones, fences over 36 inches must be set back 5 feet from the street side property line for visibility.
Do I need a permit for a fence?
Yes. Building permits are required for fence construction in Costa Mesa. The Planning Division reviews location and materials.
Irvine FAQ
How tall can a fence be in Irvine?
Side and rear yard fences may be up to 7 feet. Front setback area fences are limited to 2.5 feet above grade.
Can I build a fence higher than 7 feet?
Fences over 7 feet within required setback areas need Administrative Relief approval from the Planning Division. Contact (949) 724-6308.
Compare other topics
See how Costa Mesa and Irvine compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool