Westminster, CA Fence Regulations: Permit Requirements (2026)

Two separate approvals can apply to a fence in the incorporated City of Westminster: zoning compliance and a building permit. Zoning compliance is mandatory for every fence under Westminster Municipal Code Section 17.300.030, which sets height limits (Table 3-2), material restrictions, and corner-visibility rules. A building permit is a separate state-law question: under California Building Code Section 105.2, fences not over seven feet high and masonry or concrete walls not over four feet (measured from the bottom of the footing) are exempt from a building permit. That means a typical six-foot wood or vinyl fence usually needs no building permit, yet it must still satisfy Westminster's zoning height and material rules. A building permit is generally required once a fence exceeds seven feet, when a retaining or freestanding masonry wall exceeds four feet, or when electrical, pool-barrier, or structural elements are involved. Because the City summary and code do not publish a separate standalone 'fence permit' fee schedule, homeowners should confirm with Westminster's Building Division and Planning Division which approvals their specific project needs. The safest approach is to check both the zoning standard in WMC 17.300.030 and the CBC permit threshold before construction, since meeting one does not guarantee the other.