Santa Ana allows fences up to 8 feet in side and rear yards and 3-4 feet in front yards under SAMC Sec. 41-610. Front yard fences over 18 inches require a Planning permit and must allow visibility through the upper portion.
SAMC Sec. 41-610 governs fences in residential zones (RE, R1, R2, R3, R4). Front yard fences are limited to 4 feet on arterial streets and 3 feet on all other streets, measured from curb top or established grade. Side and rear yard fences may be up to 8 feet. In non-residential districts, fences may reach 10 feet (4 feet in front/landscape areas). Any front yard fence over 18 inches requires a permit from the Planning and Building Agency. Front yard fences must permit visibility between or through elements above 18 inches, with spacing no closer than 4 inches apart and members no wider than 4 inches. Arbors in front yards are limited to 10 feet high, 6 feet wide, and 3 feet deep over walkways only. Fences under 7 feet generally do not require a building permit, though the front-yard planning permit still applies.
Fence without required permit: code enforcement citation. Non-compliant height or design: mandatory correction or removal. Progressive fines for continued violations.
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