Los Angeles County, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Corner lots, first 10 ft from right-of-way line
- 42 inches for fences, walls, and barrier hedges
- Beyond 10 ft from right-of-way line
- 6 feet for fences, walls, and plants
- Other lots, outside a driveway zone
- 6 feet only if the part above 42 inches is 80% open
- Driveway zone, first 10 ft
- 42 inches for fences, walls, and plants
- Open fence support spacing
- Vertical supports at least 5 feet apart
- Banned front-yard materials
- Barbed, concertina, razor wire, and broken glass
- Deadline for registered older fences
- Comply before January 1, 2034
Summary
Altadena's Community Standards District sets its own front-yard fence heights in Tables 22.320.090-D and 22.320.090-E: 42 inches in the first 10 feet back from the right-of-way line on corner lots and in driveway zones, and 6 feet beyond that. On other lots, a 6-foot fence in that 10-foot strip must be at least 80 percent open above 42 inches.
Corner or Reversed-Corner Lots. Table 22.320.090-D, below, identifies the maximum height for fences, walls, and landscaping for corner or reversed-corner lots. Where such fence or wall exceeds 42 inches in height, such front yard shall maintain live plants in the portion of the yard between the fence or wall, and the street. [...] When located within an area outside a driveway zone between the right-of-way line and 10 feet from the right-of-way line towards the property, fences and walls shall be open and non-view obscuring for any portion of the fence or wall greater than 42 inches in height. A fence or wall, or portion thereof, shall be considered open and non-view obscuring when: (i) A minimum of 80 percent of that fence or wall or portion thereof, evenly distributed horizontally along the entire length of said fence or wall or portion thereof, is transparent or permits views. Chain-link fencing with live plant material shall not be considered open and non-view obscuring; and (ii) Vertical support elements maintain a minimum distance of five feet apart.
Full Breakdown
The Altadena Community Standards District covers the unincorporated Altadena area shown on Figure 22.320.090-A. Subsection D.1.c replaces the countywide fence rule in Section 22.110.070 (Fences and Walls) for front yards, and Section 22.110.070 otherwise stays in force. One addition applies across the district: fence or wall height is measured inclusive of any architectural feature, fixture, or support element attached to or part of the fence, so a decorative post cap or light fixture counts toward the limit.
Corner and reversed-corner lots use Table 22.320.090-D. In the strip from the right-of-way line to 10 feet back toward the property, fences, walls, and hedges or other plantings that form a barrier serving the same purpose are limited to 42 inches. Past 10 feet back, the limit is 6 feet for both. Where a corner-lot fence or wall goes above 42 inches, the front yard must keep live plants between the fence and the street.
All other lots use Table 22.320.090-E. Inside a driveway zone, the 10-foot strip is capped at 42 inches for fences, walls, and plantings. Outside a driveway zone, a fence or wall in that strip can reach 6 feet only if everything above 42 inches is open and non-view obscuring: at least 80 percent transparent, spread evenly along the full length, with vertical supports at least five feet apart. Hedges and plants in that strip stay at 42 inches. Beyond 10 feet from the right-of-way line, 6 feet applies to everything.
A driveway zone is the triangle on each side of a driveway formed by three points: Point A, where the driveway edge meets the roadway edge or top of curb; Point B, 10 feet back from the highway line along the driveway edge; and Point C, where a 45-degree line from Point B meets the roadway edge or top of curb.
The area between the roadway edge or top of curb and the right-of-way line is not set by the tables. Any encroachment in the public right-of-way must comply with Title 16 (Highways) of the County Code. Corner side yards follow Section 22.110.070.B.3, and every fence, wall, hedge, or planting must also satisfy Section 22.110.080.E (Limited Secondary Highways) and Section 22.110.040 (Accessory Structures and Equipment).
Violations & Fines
New or replacement fences and walls in required front yards cannot use barbed wire, concertina wire, razor wire, or broken glass. Chain-link taller than 42 inches is barred unless covered and visually obscured with live plant material, and chain-link with live plants never counts as open and non-view obscuring. Existing non-compliant fences as of January 11, 2018 could register in a voluntary program until January 1, 2019; participants must comply before January 1, 2034, by modifying the fence or winning a Variance under Chapter 22.194.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my front-yard fence be in Altadena?
What counts as open and non-view obscuring?
What is a driveway zone and why does it matter?
Do hedges and shrubs count as fences under this rule?
Can I keep an older fence that does not meet these limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
How Los Angeles County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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