Height Limits: Downey vs Long Beach
How do height limits rules compare between Downey, CA and Long Beach, CA?
Downey and Long Beach have similar restriction levels.
Downey, CA
Los Angeles County
Downey Municipal Code Article IX (Land Use) regulates fence and wall heights. Fences under 42 inches do not require a building permit. Interior side and rear fences may be up to 7 feet. Front yard and corner visibility restrictions apply.
View full Downey rules →Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles County
Front yard fences limited to 3 feet. Side and rear yard fences up to 6 feet 6 inches. LBMC §21.43.020 governs.
View full Long Beach rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Downey | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | Art. IX, Ch. 3 | - |
| No Permit Needed | 42 inches or less | - |
| Side/Rear Max | 7 feet | - |
| Front Yard Max | 42 inches | - |
| Commercial Screen | 7 feet minimum | - |
| Code | - | LBMC §21.43.020 |
| Front Yard | - | 3 feet max (4 ft in special areas) |
| Side/Rear | - | 6 ft 6 in max |
| Permit | - | Required for masonry >4 ft or wrought iron >6.5 ft |
| Historic Districts | - | Certificate of Appropriateness required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Downey FAQ
How tall can a fence be in Downey?
Interior side and rear yard fences may be up to 7 feet. Front yard fences are limited to 42 inches. Fences 42 inches or less do not require a building permit.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Downey?
Fences 42 inches (3.5 feet) or less do not require a building permit. Taller fences require permits from the Building & Safety Division.
Long Beach FAQ
How tall can my fence be in Long Beach?
Front yard fences limited to 3 feet. Side and rear yard fences up to 6 feet 6 inches. LBMC §21.43.020 governs.
What is the maximum fence height for front yards in Long Beach?
Code: LBMC §21.43.020. Front Yard: 3 feet max (4 ft in special areas). Side/Rear: 6 ft 6 in max. Permit: Required for masonry >4 ft or wrought iron >6.5 ft.
Compare other topics
See how Downey and Long Beach 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