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
Height Limits
The Altadena Community Standards District limits front-yard fences to 42 inches within 10 feet of the right-of-way line, 6 feet farther back, and bans barbed wire, concertina wire, razor wire, and broken glass in required front yards.
Fences: Height Limits
Some RestrictionsCounty Code § 22.320.090.D.1.c; Tables 22.320.090-D, 22.320.090-E
TABLE 22.320.090-D: FENCES, WALLS, AND LANDSCAPING HEIGHT LIMITS FOR CORNER OR REVERSED-CORNER LOTS Location | Maximum Height (Fences and Walls) Area between right-of-way line and 10 feet back from the right-of-way line towards the property | 42 in. > 10 feet back from the right-of-way line towards the property | 6 ft TABLE 22.320.090-E: FENCES, WALLS, AND LANDSCAPING HEIGHT LIMITS FOR ALL OTH...
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 RestrictionsLos 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 ...
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 RestrictionsCalifornia 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, ...
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 RestrictionsLos 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 ...
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 RestrictionsLos 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 Fuel...
Fence Regulations by City in Los Angeles County
20 cities in Los Angeles County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
5 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
4 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
4 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
4 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
5 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
5 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
1 verified rule • Neighbor Fence Rules
5 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
4 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
5 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
4 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
4 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
4 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
3 verified rules • Height Limits, Fence Permit Requirements
5 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
4 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
5 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
2 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
3 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
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