Do you need a permit for a fence in Los Angeles, CA?
It depends on size and placement.
Wood, vinyl and metal fences need a building permit only above 10 ft; masonry and concrete above 3 ft 6 in.
Zoning caps front-yard fences at 3 ft 6 in and side and rear fences at 6 ft in most residential areas.
Going up to 8 ft in a required yard takes a Zoning Administrator approval with neighbor notice.
Rules last checked by a person on October 19, 2026. Guidance only; confirm with Los Angeles before you build.
Check your exact lot
Setbacks depend on your zoning district, and a flood zone can change the permit answer. Enter your address to see both.
Permits a fence can need in Los Angeles
| Permit | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Building permit | LADBS requires a permit for masonry or concrete fences over 3 ft 6 in, any other fence over 10 ft, and any pool-barrier fence. |
| Zoning Administrator approval (over-height fence) | Fences above 3 ft 6 in in the front yard or above 6 ft in side and rear yards exceed the usual residential limits. Some lots allow 8 ft by right; elsewhere a Zoning Administrator may approve up to 8 ft.Confidence: medium |
| Floodplain development permit | If the lot is in a FEMA special flood hazard area, all development there needs a permit. |
Limits that apply citywide
| Front yard | 3 ft 6 in max |
|---|---|
| Side and rear yards | 6 ft max (8 ft on some lots) |
| Up to 8 ft in a required yard | Zoning Administrator approval, with a public hearing notice to neighbors |
Local details
- Call 811 at least a few days before you dig footings or post holes. Utility locating is free.
- HOA covenants and deed restrictions can be stricter than city rules. Check yours before you build.
How to apply
- LADBS
- ZIMAS parcel and zoning lookup
- Phone: 311 (213-473-3231)
Questions people ask
- When does a fence need a building permit in Los Angeles?
- LADBS requires a permit for masonry or concrete fences over 3 ft 6 in, any other fence over 10 ft, and any pool-barrier fence. Wood, vinyl, metal or chain-link fences up to 10 ft (and masonry up to 3 ft 6 in) don't need a building permit. Zoning height limits still apply.
- Do I also need a zoning permit for a fence in Los Angeles?
- Fences above 3 ft 6 in in the front yard or above 6 ft in side and rear yards exceed the usual residential limits. Some lots allow 8 ft by right; elsewhere a Zoning Administrator may approve up to 8 ft.
- Where do I apply for a fence permit in Los Angeles?
- Apply through LADBS, or call 311 (213-473-3231).
Sources
- LADBS FAQ, Do I need a permit to build a fence?. Checked 2026-10-19.
A permit is not required for any type of fence under 3'6" in height. A permit is required for a masonry or concrete fence over 3'6" in height, and for a fence of any other material over 10'0" in height.
- LA Council File 25-1217, 2025 Building Code amendments (effective 1/1/2026). Checked 2026-10-20.
Fences... masonry or concrete fences not over 3-1/2 feet high, and other fences, other than swimming pool barriers, not over 10 feet high.
- LADBS FAQ, What is the allowable fence height?. Checked 2026-10-19.
In most residential areas, fences are limited to 3'-6" in height in the front yard and 6'-0 in the side and rear yards. Depending on lot size and location, the height limit may be increased to 8'-0 for the side and rear yards... Section 12.22 C 20 (f).
- LA City Planning, Fences and Walls up to 8 Feet in Height (LAMC 12.24 X.7). Checked 2026-10-19.
Section 12.24 X.7... authorizes a Zoning Administrator to approve applications for fences and walls up to eight feet high located within the required front, side or rear yard.
- 44 CFR 59.1, definition of development (NFIP). Checked 2026-10-19.
Development means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures...
- 44 CFR 60.3, floodplain management criteria. Checked 2026-10-19.
Require permits for all proposed construction or other development in the community...