La Habra, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

Section 15.04.020 amends California Building Code Section 105.2's list of work exempt from a building permit, and exception 2 sets the fence and wall thresholds. A wood, steel, vinyl, iron 'or other similar such' fence stays exempt only up to 24 inches in height; a masonry wall or fence is exempt up to 3 feet; and a retaining wall is exempt only up to 24 inches. Cross the relevant height and the fence, wall or retaining wall needs a full building permit under the city's adopted 2025 California Building Code, per Section 15.04.010, before construction begins.

Even an exempt fence remains subject to the separate zoning height limits in Section 18.12.070: in a residential zone, a rear or side yard fence, wall or hedge cannot exceed 6 feet, or 8 feet along at least a four-lane highway, and a front-yard fence, wall or hedge is capped at 3 feet. Barbed wire is barred entirely from any residential fence, wall or hedge, and no sharp wire or points may project above a fence 6 feet or under. Damaged fences must be repaired within seven days and graffiti removed within seventy-two hours under Section 18.12.070(A).