Santa Ana, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Section 41-610(a) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code sets three height tiers for walls and fences in the RE, R1, R2, R3 and R4 residential districts, and for residential uses in specific development zones other than SD No. 19. A front yard fence is limited to 4 feet where the street is designated an arterial in the circulation element of the city's general plan, and 3 feet on every other street, with height measured from the top of the curb or established grade upward rather than from natural grade. Everywhere else on the lot, walls and fences can go up to 8 feet. In districts outside the RE-through-R4 residential zones, the ceiling is higher, 10 feet, but any wall or fence that extends into a required front yard or required landscaped area is still capped at 4 feet, matching the residential front-yard limit.

The companion section, 41-610.5, applies the same general framework to the city's industrial and commercial zones: a 10-foot maximum with the fence dropping to 4 feet in a required front yard or landscaped strip, plus an added requirement that C1, C2, C4 and C5 lots erect a 5-foot concrete block wall along any property line touching residentially zoned land, unless the planning commission waives it for a property in transition to nonresidential use.

Any front yard fence taller than 18 inches also needs a permit from the planning and building agency under section 41-610(b), so homeowners planning an 8-foot side yard fence should confirm placement doesn't stray into the shorter front-yard zone before building.