Fullerton Height Limits Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

The City of Fullerton Municipal Code establishes fence and wall height limits through its zoning regulations, with standards varying based on the location of the fence on the property and the applicable zoning district. In residential zones (R-1, R-2, R-3), front yard fences and walls are limited to 42 inches (3.5 feet) in height to preserve the open, walkable character of Fullerton's established neighborhoods and to ensure adequate sight lines for drivers and pedestrians at driveway approaches. Open-style fences — such as wrought iron, tubular steel, or widely spaced picket designs — that permit visibility through the fence may be permitted at slightly greater heights in front yards on a case-by-case basis through the design review or variance process.

In side yards and rear yards, fences and walls may reach a maximum of 6 feet as measured from the finished grade on the higher side of the fence. This standard provides adequate privacy screening for the typical Fullerton lot, which ranges from 5,000 to 7,500 square feet in many of the city's established post-war neighborhoods. For properties with grade changes or slopes — relatively common in Fullerton's northern hillside areas near Brea and the Sunny Hills district — fence height is measured from the finished grade adjacent to the fence on the higher side. Where a retaining wall is needed to manage grade changes and a fence is placed on top of the wall, the combined height of the retaining wall and fence is measured from the lowest adjacent finished grade. If the combined structure exceeds 6 feet, a variance from the Planning Commission is required.

Corner lots and properties adjacent to street intersections must maintain sight-distance triangles as defined by the City Engineer to ensure that drivers have adequate visibility. Within these triangles — typically a 15-foot by 15-foot area measured from the intersection of the two curb lines — fences and landscaping may not exceed 30 inches in height or must be constructed of open materials that do not obstruct visibility.

Barbed wire, razor wire, and electrically charged fencing are prohibited on residential properties within Fullerton. Barbed wire may be used on commercial and industrial properties where it is placed atop a fence at least 6 feet tall and is not adjacent to a residential zone. Chain-link fencing is permitted in side and rear yards but may be discouraged or prohibited in front yards in certain zones. Contact the City of Fullerton Community Development Department at (714) 738-6531 for height limit questions specific to your property and zoning district.