Anaheim, CA Privacy & Surveillance: Privacy Screening (2026)

Under Anaheim Municipal Code Section 18.46.110 (Fence, Wall, and Hedge Standards), residential fences may reach 6 feet in the side and rear yards without a building permit, and 3 feet within the required front yard setback. Corner lots must maintain a visibility triangle at driveways and intersections where fences cannot exceed 3 feet to preserve sight distance. Fences taller than 6 feet (up to a maximum of 8 feet with approval) require a building permit from the Anaheim Planning and Building Department and must comply with California Building Code structural standards including wind load and pier depth. Acceptable materials include wood, vinyl, masonry, wrought iron, and stucco; chain link is permitted in rear yards but discouraged in front. Barbed wire, razor wire, and electric fences are prohibited in residential zones. Pool fences are regulated separately under the California Building Code Section 3109 with a minimum 60-inch height and self-closing gates. In Anaheim Hills and Platinum Triangle master-planned communities, CC and Rs often require specific stain colors, pilaster spacing, or decorative caps. Disputes between neighbors over a common fence are governed by California Civil Code 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act), which presumes equal shared cost for maintenance and replacement. Written 30-day notice is required before billing a neighbor for fence work.