Ridgecrest, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 106-32, Fences, walls and hedges
- Side/rear yard max
- 7 feet from average grade
- Street-side fence max
- 7 feet above top of curb
- Front yard taper max
- 3 ft. 6 in. at property line
- Corner intersections
- 3 ft. 6 in. within visibility area
Summary
Ridgecrest caps side and rear yard fences at seven feet, tapers front-yard fencing down to three feet six inches near the property line, and protects corner sightlines.
(1)Fences and walls behind the front yard setback along the side and rear yard property lines not exceeding seven feet in height as measured from the average grade on either side of the fence. On street side fences, the height shall not be higher than seven feet above the top of curb.(2)On interior lots, the horizontal fencing line may be linearly tapered from behind the front yard setback line to the front yard property line provided that the fence is not higher than three feet, six inches above grade at the property line.(3)The cross-visibility area as defined elsewhere in this chapter shall not be violated by any structure, fence, wall, hedge or other material.(4)No fence, wall or hedge shall be installed or constructed above the height of three feet, six inches within any front or side setback adjacent to a street intersection except as provided below:a.The fence, wall or hedge along the side yard is located more than 25 feet from the projection of the front property line at the street intersection; orb.Such installation within the side yard is determined by the director of public works not to constitute a traffic hazard due to reduced visibility. (Code 1980, § 20-3.23; Ord. No. 84-08, A 3, § 323)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 106-32 sets fence and wall heights by location: fences and walls behind the front yard setback along side and rear property lines may run up to seven feet, measured from average grade (seven feet above curb on street-side fences). On interior lots, fencing may taper from behind the front setback down to no more than three feet six inches at the front property line. No fence, wall, or hedge may exceed three feet six inches within a front or side setback near a street intersection, and the cross-visibility area defined elsewhere in the zoning chapter can't be blocked by any fence, wall, or hedge.
Violations & Fines
A fence built taller than the § 106-32 limits, or that blocks a required corner-visibility area, is a zoning violation under § 106-64, an infraction the city attorney can pursue as a public nuisance requiring removal or modification.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my backyard fence be in Ridgecrest?
Can I build a tall fence near a corner lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ridgecrest
How Ridgecrest compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Ridgecrest to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Kern County handle height limits.