Palm Desert, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- 7 feet from curb face
- 3 feet 6 inches maximum
- 15 feet from curb face
- 3 feet 7 inches to 4 feet 11 inches
- 20 feet from curb face
- 5 feet to 6 feet
- Behind front building setback
- 6 feet maximum
- New construction
- Walls or fences at least 5 feet high at rear and interior side yards
- Public right-of-way
- Fences not permitted
Summary
In the City of Palm Desert, California, Palm Desert Municipal Code § 25.40.080 caps residential fences at 3 feet 6 inches at 7 feet from the curb face, stepping up to 3 feet 7 inches to 4 feet 11 inches at 15 feet and 5 to 6 feet at 20 feet. Fences and walls behind the front building setback top out at 6 feet.
Table 25.40-2: ... Location, Height and Material Standards by Fence Type Fence Type Location Height (max or range) Materials Walls and Fences in Front and Side Setbacks Short fence 7′-0″ from curb face1 3′6″ Decorative materials including decorative blocks, stucco or wrought iron Moderate height fence 15′-0″ from curb face1,2 3′7″ to 4′11″ Decorative materials including decorative blocks, stucco or wrought iron Tall fence 20′-0″ from curb face 5′ to 6′ Decorative materials including decorative blocks, stucco or wrought iron Walls and fences at or behind building setbacks, visible from ROW Behind front building setback (side yard tie-in fences, interior side yard and rear-yard fences) 6′-0″ Decorative block, precision block stuccoed or painted to match house; wrought iron ... 2 Site inspection or photos shall ensure that visibility adjacent to driveways and street corners shall not be impaired.
Full Breakdown
Table 25.40-2 of § 25.40.080 sets fence height by distance from the curb face on residential lots in the RE, R-1, R-2, R-3 and PR districts of the City of Palm Desert. Three tiers apply in the front and side setbacks: a short fence placed 7 feet from the curb face with a maximum height of 3 feet 6 inches, a moderate height fence placed 15 feet from the curb face at 3 feet 7 inches to 4 feet 11 inches, and a tall fence placed 20 feet from the curb face at 5 feet to 6 feet. Fences are not permitted within the public right-of-way.
Behind the front building setback, side yard tie-in fences, interior side yard fences and rear-yard fences are limited to 6 feet, whether or not they are visible from the right-of-way. Retaining walls follow grade rules: a cut slope wall is capped at 6 feet measured from the highest adjoining grade, and a fill slope wall at 6 feet measured from the lowest adjoining grade. A combination of a solid retaining wall and wrought iron fence on a fill slope can reach 9 feet from the lower adjacent grade, with a maximum combination fence height of 6 feet measured from the higher adjacent grade. Under subsection F.1, wall height is measured from the higher finished grade adjoining the fence or wall.
Corner and driveway visibility is handled by note 2, which the table attaches to the moderate height fence. It requires site inspection or photos to ensure that visibility adjacent to driveways and street corners is not impaired, and the section prints no numeric sight triangle. New residential construction must include walls or fences at least 5 feet high enclosing rear and interior side yards (subsection C). Walls adjacent to a public street need a formal landscape plan and an undulation offset of at least 18 inches or a pilaster at least every 30 feet. The Architectural Review Commission can approve exceptions when unusual circumstances exist, no damage results to adjacent properties, and adjacent owners are informed at least 10 days before the meeting.
Violations & Fines
Section 25.40.080 prints no fine of its own. The general penalty in Palm Desert Municipal Code § 1.12.010 applies: a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, prosecuted as an infraction unless the city attorney moves otherwise, and each day is a separate offense under § 1.12.040. Existing nonconforming fences must be kept in good condition under Section 8.70.060, and a change in fence design is not repair and must conform to the standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a front yard fence be in the City of Palm Desert?
How tall can a backyard fence be in Palm Desert?
Does Palm Desert have a corner visibility triangle for fences?
Can I get an exception to the fence height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Desert
How Palm Desert compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Palm Desert to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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