Los Angeles County, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Within 10 ft of ROW line (front yard)
- Maximum 42 inches
- Beyond 10 ft from ROW (front yard)
- Maximum 6 feet
- Prohibited front-yard materials
- Barbed wire, concertina wire, razor wire, broken glass
- Chain-link over 42 in.
- Must be covered with live plant material
- View obstruction rule
- Fences 42 in.–6 ft in the 10-ft band must be 80% transparent with supports 5 ft apart
Summary
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.
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 OTHER LOTS Area within a driveway zone between right-of-way line and 10 feet back | 42 in. Area outside a driveway zone between right-of-way line and 10 feet back | 6 feet [must be open and non-view-obscuring for portions over 42 in.: min. 80% transparent, vertical supports min. 5 ft apart] > 10 feet from right-of-way line | 6 ft
vi. Prohibited Materials. All portions of new or replacement fences and walls in required front yards shall not be composed of barbed wire, concertina wire, razor wire, or broken glass. Chain-link fencing taller than 42 inches in height shall not be permitted, unless covered and visually obscured with live plant material.
Full Breakdown
LA County Code § 22.320.090.D.1.c sets fence and wall height limits for the Altadena CSD (unincorporated LA County). For all lots, the maximum height in the front yard is 42 inches for the area between the right-of-way line and 10 feet back toward the property; the limit is 6 feet beyond that point. For non-corner lots (Table 22.320.090-E), fences outside the driveway zone that exceed 42 inches but are within the 10-foot band must be open and non-view-obscuring (at least 80% transparent, with vertical supports at least 5 feet apart). For corner and reversed-corner lots (Table 22.320.090-D), the 42-inch limit applies uniformly throughout that 10-foot zone. Where a fence exceeds 42 inches, the front yard between the fence and the street must be maintained with live plants. Barbed wire, concertina wire, razor wire, and broken glass are prohibited as materials in required front yards. Chain-link fencing over 42 inches must be covered with live plant material.
Violations & Fines
Building a fence over 42 inches high within 10 feet of the right-of-way in the front yard, using barbed wire, concertina wire, razor wire, or broken glass in the front yard, or installing chain-link over 42 inches without covering it with live plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a fence be in the front yard in the Altadena CSD?
Are barbed wire or razor wire fences allowed in Altadena?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
How Los Angeles County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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