Santa Maria, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard max (behind PUE)
- 3 ft
- Side/rear yard max
- 6 ft
- Front-yard 6 ft wall option
- Set back 10 ft from sidewalk, ≤1/3 parcel width
- Code chapter
- SMMC Chapter 12-27 (Accessory Structures)
- Building permit exemption
- Wood fences ≤7 ft (CRC R105.2)
Summary
Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 12-27 limits fences to 3 feet immediately behind the public utility easement (front yard), and 6 feet within required side and rear yards. A 6-foot wall is allowed in the front/interior side yard only if set back 10 feet from the back of sidewalk and is no longer than 1/3 of the parcel width, subject to corner-cutback rules.
Fencing shall not exceed a height of three feet immediately behind the public utility easement, except that fences and walls up to a maximum height of six feet are permitted along the interior side lot lines and in the front yard, provided that the walls are set back ten feet or more from the back of sidewalk or front property line and are no longer than 1/3 of the parcel width.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4818069; v9 updated 2026-04-07).
Full Breakdown
Fence heights in Santa Maria are regulated under Chapter 12-27 (Accessory Structures) of the Santa Maria Municipal Code, administered by the Community Development Department. 02 (Fences, Walls and Hedges) caps fencing at 3 feet in height immediately behind the public utility easement (the area between the sidewalk and the front building setback). 03. Fences and walls erected within required side yards or rear yards shall not exceed 6 feet, unless otherwise authorized by the Zoning Administrator. Heights are measured from the adjacent natural grade. 2 (adopted in SMMC Chapter 9-08) further exempts wood fences not over 7 feet high from a building permit, but the zoning height limits in Chapter 12-27 still apply.
Violations & Fines
Non-compliant fences are enforced by the Community Development Department's Code Enforcement and Planning Divisions. Owners may receive a courtesy notice followed by a Notice of Violation under SMMC Title 1, with administrative fines and required removal or modification of the fence. Continuing violations can escalate to administrative citations and abatement at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my back-yard fence be in Santa Maria?
Can I put a 6-foot fence in my front yard?
Do I need a building permit for a 6-foot wood fence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Maria
How Santa Maria compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Maria 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.