Huntington Beach, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

88(A)(4), Retaining Walls, sets height rules that layer on top of the general fence standards in the same section. Where a retaining wall sits on a property line separating lots and holds back a cut below natural grade, it may be topped by a fence, wall, or hedge up to whatever height would otherwise be permitted at that location without the retaining wall. Where a retaining wall is on a rear-yard property line abutting an arterial or an exterior side yard and holds two feet or less of fill, it may be topped with a six-foot decorative masonry wall, with the combined retaining-wall-plus-fence height capped at 8 feet.

On a rear yard abutting a local street, the retaining wall itself maxes out at 24 inches measured from the adjacent curb, and it may carry an additional 18-inch decorative wall or fence for a combined total of 42 inches. On the front property line, the retaining wall is capped at 36 inches measured from the top of the highest adjacent curb, with a further 42-inch wall or fence allowed above it subject to the Director's approval and a minimum 3-foot setback from the front property line; in the RMH-A subdistrict that front retaining wall drops to 18 inches, with a second 18-inch retaining wall permitted above it (also Director-approved, same 3-foot setback) before a 42-inch wall or fence on top.

Retaining wall and fence combinations exceeding 8 feet must use a variation in design or materials to visually distinguish the two elements, and combinations over 6 feet cannot use decorative block or cap block unless it is structurally equal to the main fence.