Highland, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Highland Municipal Code § 16.40.100 sets fence and wall heights by district in the City of Highland. In a residential district, a wall or fence in a required front yard cannot exceed four feet in height. The limit rises to a maximum of five feet only where the portion above three feet is wrought iron or other 90 percent light-permitting material. Solid pilasters are permitted to support the fence, and pilasters with caps or optional lighting fixtures can extend a maximum of 12 total inches above the adjacent fence or wall, for a maximum height of six feet. The four-foot rule yields to the exceptions in HMC § 16.16.040(D)(4)(f) and § 16.22.040(B)(5)(m).

Along an interior side yard, rear yard or street side yard, a fence or wall not more than six feet in height, measured from the highest adjacent grade, can be maintained as long as it does not extend into the required front yard. Fencing for new housing developments that is not view-type fencing must be solid block material or an alternative material unless the design review process decides otherwise. Any retaining portion visible from the public right-of-way must be mitigated with a raised planter or a 2:1 landscape slope approved through a staff review permit or design review application. On reversed corner lots and street side yards, fences and walls must provide adequate sight lines to protect pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Other districts follow different numbers. In the Village Residential District, all new fencing must comply with guidelines adopted by the historic and cultural preservation board. In Commercial and Office Professional Districts, walls or fences in a required front or street side building setback area cannot exceed four feet, and in a required rear or interior side building setback area cannot exceed six feet. In Industrial Districts and Business Park, walls in a front or street side building setback cannot exceed six feet, fences can reach a maximum of 10 feet if the entire height is 90 percent light-admitting wrought iron or similar material, and fences over six feet in the setback area require a minimum of six feet of landscaping from the property line.