Simi Valley, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard limit
- ~42 inches
- Side/rear yard limit
- 6 feet (highest adjacent grade)
- Traffic Safety Sight Area limit
- 24 inches without permit
- Arterial street / next to commercial-industrial
- Up to 8 feet
- Code section
- SVMC 9-30.050
- Contact
- Planning Division (805) 583-6769
Summary
Simi Valley Municipal Code Section 9-30.050 limits residential fences to roughly 42 inches in the front yard and 6 feet in side and rear yards, measured from the highest adjacent grade. Walls/fences up to 8 feet are allowed along arterial streets or where a property abuts a commercial/industrial zone.
First, ensure your proposed fence or wall meets the City standards for location, type, and height by reviewing the Residential Fences and Walls Exhibit and SVMC Section 9-30.050 "Height and Location Requirements for Fences, Walls, and Hedges." Property line fences and walls outside of the front setback may not exceed six feet in height as measured from the highest adjacent grade. If your yard is adjacent to a major arterial street and/or a commercial/industrial zone, your property line wall or fence may be allowed to be up to eight feet in height. Within the Traffic Safety Sight Area (TSSA) and within the public right-of-way, no fences, walls, or hedges over 24 inches high measured from the top of the nearest street curb (street level, if no curb) are allowable without a permit authorized by law.
Full Breakdown
050 (Height and Location Requirements for Fences, Walls, and Hedges), property line fences and walls outside of the front setback may not exceed six feet in height as measured from the highest adjacent grade. In the front yard, fences are limited to approximately 42 inches so as not to obstruct visibility, and within any Traffic Safety Sight Area (TSSA) or the public right-of-way, no fence, wall, or hedge over 24 inches high measured from the top of the nearest street curb (street level, if no curb) is allowed without a permit.
If a yard is adjacent to a major arterial street and/or a commercial or industrial zone, the property line wall or fence may be allowed to be up to eight feet in height. Garden walls over six feet and any retaining wall may also require a Building Permit in addition to a Zoning Clearance. 050 before installing or replacing a fence or wall, and to prepare a plot plan showing the location, type, and height for Planning Division review.
Violations & Fines
Fences exceeding the 42-inch front-yard limit, the 6-foot side/rear limit, or the 24-inch TSSA limit without a permit violate SVMC Chapter 9-30 and are enforced by the City's Code Enforcement Division within the Department of Environmental Services. Enforcement actions can include a Notice of Violation, an order to lower or remove the fence, and administrative citations. Where a Building Permit was required (e.g., walls over six feet, retaining walls), construction without that permit is also a Building Code violation under SVMC Title 8.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my back yard fence be in Simi Valley?
Can I put a 6-foot fence in my front yard?
When am I allowed an 8-foot fence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Simi Valley
How Simi Valley compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Simi Valley to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Ventura County handle height limits.