Ontario, CA Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

Ontario Development Code Section 6.02.020.D (Location) governs where residential walls and fences may go. Where a side or rear property line is common with an adjoining lot, a wall or fence may be built along that shared line for property division or security (6.02.020.D.1). On a corner or reverse-corner lot, a wall or fence may be built along the street-side property line, but the area between the fence and the sidewalk or curb must be fully landscaped and maintained (D.2). In a front yard, walls and fences up to 3 feet may be built along the front or street-side property line, with the same landscaping requirement (D.3). On through-lots with two street frontages, one frontage is treated as the rear and the wall must sit at least 5 feet behind the rear property line (D.4). Section 6.02.015.C/D bars any fence, wall, shrub, or sprinkler in a street right-of-way without an encroachment permit from the City Engineer, with removal required within 7 days of notice. Note: Ontario's code does not impose a private good-neighbor cost-sharing rule; California Civil Code Section 841 governs shared boundary fences, presuming adjoining owners share maintenance costs equally absent agreement.