Burbank, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited materials
- Razor, barbed, electric, or similar dangerous wire
- Front-yard open design (R-1 table)
- Over 3 ft must be >=50% open
- Front/side open design (R-1 update)
- Over 2 ft must be >=50% open
- Ornamentation allowance
- Up to 18 in / 5 ft 6 in, spaced 4 ft on center
- Code Section
- BMC 10-1-603(G); 10-1-628(H); Table notes
Summary
Burbank Municipal Code 10-1-603 and 10-1-628 prohibit fences, walls, and hedges from being composed of dangerous wire (razor, barbed, electric, or similar), and Table 10-1-603(A) requires any portion of a front-yard fence or wall over 3 feet to use an open design that is at least 50% see-through.
a. Fences, walls, and hedges may not be composed, in whole or part, of dangerous wire types including, but not limited to: razor wire, barbed wire, electric wire, or any other similar wire type that may pose serious risk of injury. ... (8) In the front yard, any portion of the fence or wall exceeding three feet in height must utilize an open design. Open design means that for each one-foot section of fence or wall, at least 50% of the surface area is open and provides direct views through the fence or wall.
Full Breakdown
Burbank's zoning code addresses fence materials in two ways. ' Second, Burbank imposes a transparency (open-design) standard in the front yard: under Note (8) to Table 10-1-603(A), in the front yard any portion of a fence or wall exceeding three feet in height must utilize an open design, meaning that for each one-foot section of fence or wall, at least 50% of the surface area is open and provides direct views through the fence or wall. A subsequent R-1 zone text amendment lowered this trigger so that in the front and street-facing side yards any portion of the fence exceeding two feet must use the open design.
The same 50% open-design standard appears for multi-family lots in Note (8) to Table 10-1-628(A). Ornamentation on top of fences in the front yard may extend up to 18 inches above the fence (to a maximum of 5 feet 6 inches) if spaced at least 4 feet apart on center.
Violations & Fines
Installing prohibited razor, barbed, or electric wire, or a solid (non-open) front-yard fence over the applicable height trigger, is a zoning violation under BMC 10-1-603 / 10-1-628 enforced by Community Development; the City can order the material removed or the fence rebuilt to the open-design standard, and a Fence Exception Permit may be required to deviate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is barbed wire or razor wire allowed on a Burbank fence?
Can I build a solid 5-foot fence in my Burbank front yard?
What counts as an 'open design' fence in Burbank?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burbank
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