Santa Monica, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Administrative cap
- Up to 4 feet above the standard height limit (side/rear setbacks only)
- Neighbor consent
- Notarized letter required from all adjacent owners on the common parcel line
- Recordation
- Director's decision is recorded with the LA County Recorder on each adjoining parcel
- Appealable?
- No: administrative determination is final and not appealable
- Discretionary route
- Required when increase exceeds 4 ft above limit, or any change in front setback
- Nonconforming fences
- May be raised up to 50% above registered height via discretionary procedure
Summary
Exceeding Santa Monica's standard fence or wall height limit requires a permit. Increases up to 4 feet above the limit in side/rear setbacks can be approved administratively with adjacent owner consent; larger increases require a discretionary hearing.
§ 9.43.050. A. Side and Rear Setbacks, Administrative Procedure. An increased maximum height of fences, walls and hedges up to 4 feet above the height limit may be granted, subject to Section 9.43.080. B. Front, Side, and Rear Setbacks, Discretionary Procedure. An increased maximum height of fences, walls and hedges more than 4 feet above the height limit may be considered, subject to Section 9.43.080.
§ 9.43.080. A. Height Modifications--Administrative Procedure. A parcel owner may request that the Director grant a modification to the height limit of a proposed side or rear fence, wall, or hedge, provided that the height modification does not extend more than 4 feet above the height limit established in Section 9.21.050, Fences, Walls, and Hedges. The Director may grant this adjustment request subject only to the following findings: 1. The adjacent parcel owner(s) that share a common parcel line nearest to the fence, wall or hedge have agreed to the proposed increase in height; and 2. The adjacent parcel owner(s) have provided verification of ownership, have executed a notarized letter agreeing to the proposed height modification, and have agreed that notice of the modification determination can be recorded on their parcel with the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office. The Director's determination is not appealable and shall be recorded with the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office for each parcel.
Full Breakdown
The administrative fence height modification requires a notarized letter from all adjacent owners sharing the common parcel line and their consent to recordation of the decision with the LA County Recorder. The Director's administrative decision is final and not appealable. Requests exceeding 4 feet above the limit, or any front-setback modification, require a discretionary Director hearing with findings that the fence is compatible with the neighborhood and mitigates specific impacts. Registered nonconforming fences may be raised up to 50% above the registered height through a discretionary procedure if adjacent owners agree and the increase responds to physical changes on a neighboring parcel.
Violations & Fines
Zoning Ordinance violations are punishable as an infraction (fine up to $250) or a misdemeanor (fine up to $500 per violation or up to 6 months in county jail, or both). Each day of violation is a separate offense under Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.48.020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need City approval to make my fence taller than the standard limit?
What if my neighbor refuses to sign the consent letter?
My fence already exceeds current height limits: can I make it even taller?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Monica to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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Fence Permit Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle fence permit requirements.