Upland, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front/street-side limit
- 3.5 ft, all zones
- Rear/interior side limit
- 6 ft (8 ft industrial)
- Residential ornamental bonus
- +2 ft, non-screening features
- Decorative arch limit
- 8 ft in setback area
- Governing section
- UMC § 17.13.040, Table 17.13-1
Summary
Upland caps fences and walls at 3.5 feet within the front and street-side setback in every zone, and at 6 feet elsewhere in most zones, or 8 feet in industrial zones, under Table 17.13-1 of Section 17.13.040. Residential zones get an extra 2 feet for non-screening ornamental features, and decorative entry arches may reach 8 feet.
A. A fence or wall shall not exceed the maximum permitted height as shown in Table 17.13-1 (Maximum Height of Fences and Walls). TABLE 17.13.1 MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF FENCES AND WALLS Fence or Wall Location Industrial Zones All Other Zones Within front and street side setback area (i.e. minimum required setback or up to main building) 3.5 ft. 3.5 ft. Within rear or interior side setback area 8 ft. 6 ft. All other areas on parcel 8 ft. 6 ft.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4480959; v4 updated 2025-09-22).
Full Breakdown
020. 030 fixes how height is measured: from the adjacent finished grade at the base to the top edge, or from the higher side's grade where grade differs across the fence, and from the base of the wall where a fence sits atop a wall. 5 feet in every zone, industrial or otherwise; within the rear or interior side setback area, and in all other areas on the parcel, the limit is 8 feet in industrial zones and 6 feet in all other zones. Subsection (B) adds an allowance specific to residential zones: an additional 2 feet of height for ornamental features that do not provide a screening function, such as an archway over a gate or ornamental figures along the top of a fence, and it separately permits decorative arches and similar entry features within the front and street-side setback areas to reach up to 8 feet.
050 layers on location rules that interact with height: fences and walls cannot sit in the public right-of-way, cannot create safety hazards for motorists or pedestrians, and cannot block emergency access.
Violations & Fines
A fence or wall built above the Table 17.13-1 limits, or that blocks emergency access or creates a traffic hazard under Section 17.13.050, is a Zoning Ordinance violation under Section 17.01.080. The Development Services Director can require the excess height brought into compliance, and continued noncompliance is prosecuted as a misdemeanor under Municipal Code Chapter 1.16, with fines up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a backyard fence be in Upland?
Can I build a taller decorative entry arch?
How is fence height measured on a sloped lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Upland
How Upland compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Upland to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle height limits.