Los Angeles, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Max single-wall height
- 12 feet
- Two-wall option
- Each ≤10 ft, ≥3 ft apart horizontally
- Landscape plan required
- Walls 8 ft or taller
Summary
In Hillside Area A and R zones, freestanding retaining walls are limited to one wall at 12 feet maximum, or two walls each no taller than 10 feet with at least 3 feet between them; walls 8 feet or taller require a landscape screening plan.
8. Retaining Walls in Hillside Areas. (Added by Ord. No. 176,445, Eff. 3/9/05.) This subdivision applies to retaining walls that meet all of the following criteria: located in the A or R Zones (including the RA Zone), located on land designated as a Hillside Area on the Bureau of Engineering Basic Grid Map No. A-13372, and located on a lot developed or to be developed with dwelling units. Retaining walls are subject to the following restrictions:
(a) A maximum of one free standing vertical or approximately vertical retaining wall may be built on any lot with a maximum height of 12 feet as measured from the top of the wall to the lower side of the adjacent ground elevation. However, a maximum of two vertical or approximately vertical walls or portions of a wall can be built if they comply with the following:
(i) The minimum horizontal distance between the two walls is three feet,
(ii) Neither of the two walls exceed a height of 10 feet measured from the top of each wall to the lower side of the adjacent ground elevation at each wall.
(b) Landscaping. For retaining walls of eight feet or greater in height, the applicant must submit a landscape plan designed to completely hide the retaining wall from view within a reasonable amount of time.
Full Breakdown
LAMC § 12.21 C.8 applies to lots in A or R Zones (including RA) designated as Hillside Area on Bureau of Engineering Basic Grid Map No. A-13372 that are developed or to be developed with dwelling units. Only one wall per lot may be built, capped at 12 feet measured from the top of the wall to the lower adjacent grade. Alternatively, two walls may be built if neither exceeds 10 feet and they are separated by at least 3 feet horizontally. Walls taller than those limits, or more than two walls, require Zoning Administrator approval under LAMC § 12.24 X.26. For walls 8 feet or taller, the applicant must submit a landscape plan approved by the Director of Planning that will completely screen the wall from view within a reasonable time.
Violations & Fines
Building a single retaining wall taller than 12 feet, or two walls where either exceeds 10 feet or the horizontal separation is less than 3 feet, without Zoning Administrator approval; failing to submit a landscape screening plan for walls 8 feet or greater.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a retaining wall taller than 12 feet in a hillside area?
Do I need a landscape plan for a 6-foot retaining wall?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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Retaining Walls in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle retaining walls.