Material Restrictions: Long Beach vs Santa Monica
How do material restrictions rules compare between Long Beach, CA and Santa Monica, CA?
Long Beach and Santa Monica have similar restriction levels.
Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles County
Long Beach regulates fence materials under LBMC Title 21 Ch. 21.43. Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in residential zones. Chain link fences require Planning Bureau approval in certain districts.
View full Long Beach rules →Santa Monica, CA
Los Angeles County
Santa Monica regulates fence materials under the zoning ordinance. Fences must be safe, structurally sound, and maintained per the property maintenance code. No more than 25% reflective material on building facades applies to walls/structures.
View full Santa Monica rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Long Beach | Santa Monica |
|---|---|---|
| Barbed Wire | Prohibited in residential zones | - |
| Chain Link | Planning approval may be required | - |
| Code | LBMC Ch. 21.43 | SMMC Ch. 9.21, Ch. 13.02 |
| Materials Review | Planning Bureau approval | - |
| Maintenance | - | Must be structurally sound |
| Prohibited | - | Leaning, missing slats, rot, graffiti |
| Reflective | - | Max 25% reflective material |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Long Beach FAQ
Can I put barbed wire on my fence in Long Beach?
No. Barbed wire, razor wire, and similar materials are prohibited on fences in all zones under LBMC 21.43.030. Decorative wrought iron is an exception.
What fence materials are allowed in Long Beach?
Wood, chain link, wrought iron, concrete, masonry, and brick are all permitted. Wood/chain link/wrought iron fences up to 6'6" and masonry walls up to 4' don't require building permits, though Planning approval is required for all fences.
Santa Monica FAQ
Can I build a solid fence in the front yard in Santa Monica?
Solid fences up to 2 feet are allowed. Above 2 feet, the fence must be open-work design (see-through) up to the 42-inch maximum.
What type of fence is required near a pool?
Pools within 30 feet of a property line require a masonry wall or solid fence at least 6 feet tall on that side.
Compare other topics
See how Long Beach and Santa Monica 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