Westminster, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

The incorporated City of Westminster places explicit material restrictions on fences through Westminster Municipal Code Section 17.300.030. As reported from that section, fences in all zoning districts shall not incorporate electrical currents, concertina ribbon, razor wire, razor ribbon, and/or pointed, protruding, or sharp objects or elements, or similar type of restraining device, except as provided in Section 17.300.035.H. Barbed-wire fencing is addressed separately and is prohibited on or between properties and adjacent to public walkways in the R1 to R5 residential zoning districts. The code does carve out a narrow decorative allowance: wrought-iron fences may incorporate decorative arrowhead and curved point tips, so ornamental ironwork is permitted even though genuinely hazardous spikes and wire are not. These are true city rules and are stricter than the bare California Building Code, which focuses on height-based permit thresholds rather than banning specific materials. The practical effect is that security-style fencing common in industrial settings — razor wire, electrified strands, concertina coils — is off-limits in Westminster's residential areas, while standard wood, vinyl, masonry, chain-link and decorative wrought iron remain available choices subject to the height and visibility rules. Anyone planning unusual fencing should review WMC 17.300.030 and the exceptions in 17.300.035.H, and confirm with the Planning Division, before purchasing materials.