Fence Regulations in Los Angeles County, CA (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 20 cities in Los Angeles County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Height Limits

Altadena's Community Standards District sets its own front-yard fence heights in Tables 22.320.090-D and 22.320.090-E: 42 inches in the first 10 feet back from the right-of-way line on corner lots and in driveway zones, and 6 feet beyond that. On other lots, a 6-foot fence in that 10-foot strip must be at least 80 percent open above 42 inches.

Altadena Fence and Wall Height Limits, Los Angeles County

Some Restrictions

County Code § 22.320.090.D.1.c; Tables 22.320.090-D, 22.320.090-E

Corner or Reversed-Corner Lots. Table 22.320.090-D, below, identifies the maximum height for fences, walls, and landscaping for corner or reversed-corner lots. Where such fence or wall exceeds 42 inches in height, such front yard shall maintain live plants in the portion of the yard between the fence or wall, and the street. [...] When located within an area outside a driveway zone between the ...

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Fence Permit Requirements

Fences 6 feet or shorter do not need a building permit in unincorporated LA County; taller fences or any fence used as a pool or spa barrier require a permit plus an inspection.

Fences: Permits

Few Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code § 106.3(2); § 107.9.K (Title 26 – Building Code)

106.3 Work Exempted. A building permit shall not be required for the following: 2. Fences which are not used as a barrier to private swimming pools, spas, or hot tubs, and ground signs, provided that: 2.1 Fences do not exceed 6 feet (1.8 m) in height. 2.2 Ground signs do not exceed 6 feet (1.8 m) in height. [107.9 Other Fees:] K. For inspection of barriers for swimming pools, spas and hot tubs ...

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Neighbor Fence Rules

CA Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code 841) applies in unincorporated LA County. Adjoining property owners share boundary fence costs equally. The spite fence doctrine (CC 841.4) applies to fences over 10 ft built to annoy neighbors. Hedges serving as fences are subject to the same height restrictions.

LA County Unincorporated Fence Neighbor Rules

Some Restrictions

California Civil Code Sec. 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act — Shared Responsibility for Boundary Fences)

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, ...

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Retaining Walls

Retaining walls in required yards may not exceed 6 feet, and when a fill-retaining wall is topped with a fence the wall and fence heights are counted together toward the permitted limit.

Fences: Retaining Walls

Some Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code § 22.110.070

4.Retaining Walls.a.Retaining Walls. Retaining walls within required yards shall not exceed six feet in height.b.Retaining Walls Topped with Walls or Fences.i.Where a retaining wall protects a cut below the natural grade and is located on a front, side, or rear lot line, such retaining wall may be topped by a fence or wall of the same height that would otherwise be permitted at the location if ...

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Material Restrictions

In the Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone (unincorporated LA County), barbed wire and chain-link fencing are explicitly prohibited, and fences must not use spikes, barbs, razors, or similar materials; most fencing must be wildlife-permeable.

Fences: Material Restrictions

Significant Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code § 22.44.1310(I), (K), (N)

I. Fencing that is non-wildlife permeable may surround the immediate development and extend no further than the outer extent of Fuel Modification Zone A (typically 20 feet from structures that require fuel modification), and shall be solely for safety purposes. Fencing shall be no more than six feet in height. Fencing that is wildlife permeable may extend no further than the outer extent of Fue...

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