Long Beach, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- LBMC § 22.30.130(B)
- Prohibited
- Barbed wire / sharp protruding-object fencing
- Exception
- Decorative wrought iron is allowed
- Zones covered
- RMU, MU, and C zones
- Adopting ordinance
- ORD-24-0015 (2024)
Summary
LBMC § 22.30.130(B) prohibits barbed wire 'or similar fencing with sharp, protruding objects capable of cutting or puncturing a person' on any fence or wall in the city's RMU, MU, and C zones, while expressly exempting decorative wrought iron from the ban.
22.30.130 - Fence Regulations. B.Prohibited fence and wall materials. Barbed wire or similar fencing with sharp, protruding objects capable of cutting or puncturing a person is prohibited. Such objects shall not be attached to, imbedded in, or laid upon any fence or wall. This restriction does not include decorative wrought iron.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 52 Update 1 | City Charter: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
' The prohibition extends beyond fencing sold as barbed wire, it also reaches 'such objects' generally, stating they 'shall not be attached to, imbedded in, or laid upon any fence or wall,' so a property owner cannot retrofit an ordinary fence with cutting or puncturing hardware to get the same effect. The section carves out one specific exception: 'This restriction does not include decorative wrought iron,' preserving the wrought-iron picket fences and garden walls common along Long Beach's mixed-use frontages even though their tops can be pointed.
This materials rule sits inside the same section that sets Table 30-6's height limits for RMU, MU, and C zones, and it applies regardless of where on the lot the fence sits, frontage setback, side yard, or rear yard. It was adopted with the rest of the Title 22 zoning rewrite under ORD-24-0015 in 2024, replacing the former Title 22 fence provisions.
Violations & Fines
Installing barbed wire or similar sharp-object fencing in violation of § 22.30.130(B) is a zoning violation subject to § 21.10.080 (applied via § 22.10.010): a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine, up to six months' imprisonment, or both, with each day the prohibited material remains after a notice of violation from the Department of Planning and Building counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is barbed wire legal on a fence in Long Beach?
Does the barbed wire ban cover other sharp fence add-ons?
Is decorative wrought iron banned too?
What's the penalty for installing barbed wire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Long Beach 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.
Material Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle material restrictions.