Montebello, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Montebello Municipal Code § 15.48.380 requires a retaining wall on the property line whenever an applicant builds up filled ground next to already-improved neighboring property; the wall is capped at the finished lot elevation or six feet, whichever is lower, and if the fill exceeds six feet the fill slope must start one foot below the top of the wall. The city council can waive this requirement only if it finds the waiver will not hurt the chapter's purpose or neighboring properties and every abutting owner consents in writing.

Exhibit 17.10.130, the Fencing Standards table under Section 17.10.130, then governs how tall a fence, wall or hedge can sit on top of or alongside a retaining wall. Where a wall retains a cut below natural grade on a lot line, a fence, wall or hedge of the height otherwise permitted, up to six feet, may top the retaining wall. Where a wall instead retains a fill, the wall itself cannot exceed the height otherwise permitted, though a nonview-obscuring fence up to 42 inches may be added on top.

On a front setback where the grade sits above the abutting sidewalk, the retaining wall itself is capped at three feet, with a nonview-obscuring fence up to 42 inches allowed above it. Because retaining wall height and placement violations are not listed among the Section 17.06.070 infractions, they are enforced as the general Title 17 misdemeanor, alongside grading-permit enforcement under Chapter 15.48.