Aliso Viejo, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Aliso Viejo Municipal Code § 15.14.030 treats the words fence and wall as interchangeable for any fence, freestanding wall, retaining wall, screen or windscreen. For single-family detached and single-family attached lots, the maximum height is six feet within any required side or rear setback area and 42 inches within a front setback area, except as limited by the sight distance rule in subsection F. Where lot orientation puts a property line fence between a front yard on one lot and a rear yard on the next, the so-called key lot situation, the maximum is six feet. Multifamily developments are limited to 42 inches within 10 feet of any street or alley right-of-way line and six feet in all other locations.

Subsection F protects motorists. Notwithstanding the other height subsections, fences, trees, shrubs and other visual obstructions are limited to a maximum of 30 inches within the triangular area shown in the code's exhibit at street intersections, alleys and driveways.

Measurement rules decide close calls. Height runs from finish grade at the base of the fence to the highest point on the interior or exterior side, whichever is higher. Where an adjoining building site is higher than the base of the fence within a side or rear setback, height can be measured from the adjoining site, but never more than eight feet measured from the lower side. Fences less than 30 inches apart count as one structure; fences 30 inches or more apart are measured independently.

Other printed limits: gate decorative elements can rise one foot above the maximum, arches or trellises up to eight feet high and five feet wide can span a gate, and a single-family parcel gets a maximum of two arches or pairs of pilasters. Residential entry gates stop at eight feet for vehicles and six feet for pedestrians. Sound walls recommended by a noise study and approved by the director can exceed six feet. Taller fences up to 10 feet need an exception permit under subsection J.