Whittier, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Local citation
- WMC § 15.01.040, Section 105.2, item 2
- Permit-exempt height
- 18 inches or less
- Above threshold
- Permit required under Section 105.1
- Liquid-impounding walls
- Never exempt, regardless of height
- Exemption limit
- Does not excuse other code violations
Summary
Whittier exempts only very low walls and fences from its building permit requirement. Section 105.2 excuses walls or fences 18 inches or less in height; anything taller falls under the Section 105.1 permit requirement for structures.
105.2 Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of the codes shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the codes, State laws, ordinances, or established policies of this jurisdiction. ... permits shall not be required for the following. Building: ... 2.Walls or fences not over 18 inches in height. Walls supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III A liquids are not exempt from permit.
Full Breakdown
040 of the Municipal Code, which adopts Chapter 1, Administrative Provisions, alongside the adopted California construction codes. 1 requires a permit before a person constructs, enlarges, alters, or otherwise builds a 'structure,' a term that includes fences and walls under the adopted codes. 2, Work exempt from permit, lists narrow carve-outs from that requirement, and item 2 under the 'Building' heading states: 'Walls or fences not over 18 inches in height. 1 before construction, even where the fence does not require a separate zoning setback variance.
2's opening paragraph clarifies that exemptions from permit requirements 'shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the codes, State laws, ordinances, or established policies of this jurisdiction,' so a sub-18-inch wall still has to meet zoning height, setback, and design standards even without a building permit.
Violations & Fines
Building an exempt-height wall in a way that violates other code provisions, or building a fence over 18 inches without first obtaining a permit, falls under Section 105.1's unpermitted-work violation and Section 113's general violation and penalty provisions, which make unlawful construction subject to a notice of violation, mandated correction, and penalties prescribed by law after the notice under Section 113.2 goes unaddressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my fence be in Whittier without a permit?
Does the 18-inch exemption apply to retaining walls?
If my fence is exempt from a permit, can I build it anywhere?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Whittier
California rules heatmap·Compare Whittier to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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