Palm Springs, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Exempt solid fence height
- Up to 42 inches, no permit needed
- Exempt open fence height
- Up to 48 inches at 90%+ open surface
- Open fence definition
- At least 90 percent open surface area
- Governing amendment
- Municipal Code § 8.04.015, CBC § 105.2 item 2
- Permitting department
- Palm Springs Department of Building and Safety
Summary
Palm Springs requires a building permit for most fences and walls, but Municipal Code § 8.04.015 exempts solid fences and walls up to 42 inches high and open fences, built with at least 90 percent open surface area, up to 48 inches high. Anything taller, or any solid fence over the 42-inch line, needs a permit from the Department of Building and Safety before construction starts.
105.2 Work exempt from permit. Building:
2. Solid fences or walls not over 42" high and open fences (must have an open surface area of at least 90 percent or more) not over 48" high.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4923139; v14 updated 2026-06-24).
Full Breakdown
015. 2 of the amended code lists work exempt from a building permit, and item 2 draws the line for fences at two different heights depending on how solid the fence is. A solid fence or wall, meaning one without significant gaps, can go up to 42 inches without a permit. An open fence, defined in the ordinance as having an open surface area of at least 90 percent or more, can reach 48 inches before triggering the permit requirement. 015: an application idle for 180 days without action is deemed abandoned, and an issued permit lapses if work does not start within 12 months. 04.
Violations & Fines
Building a solid fence over 42 inches, or an open fence over 48 inches, without first pulling a permit exposes the owner to code enforcement action by the Department of Building and Safety, which can require the work to stop and the fence removed or retroactively permitted. An unpermitted fence built to an unapproved height or location can also complicate a future sale or refinance once it turns up on a code compliance report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a 5-foot solid fence in Palm Springs?
What counts as an open fence under Palm Springs' permit exemption?
Does the fence permit exemption also cover zoning setback rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Springs
California rules heatmap·Compare Palm Springs to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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Fence Permit Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle fence permit requirements.