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Article 4 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS›Part 4C — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS RULES

Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A Div. 4C.7 Fences & Walls

Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A · 2026-08 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Los Angeles

Cite as: Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A § 4C.7 · Text as of 2026-10-04

Sec. 4C.7.1. FRONTAGE YARD FENCES & WALLS

For fences, walls, and hedges allowed in a frontage yard, see Sec. 3C.3.2. (Frontage Yard Fences & Walls) .

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Sec. 4C.7.1. (Frontage Yard Fences & Walls) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FOrM - FrONtAGe - STANDARDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 4C.7. (Fences & Walls)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 4C.7.2. SIDE/REAR YARD FENCES & WALLS

A. Intent

the intent of the standards of this Section (Side/Rear Yard Fences & Walls) is to provide security and privacy for private ground story uses facing side yards and rear yards in a manner appropriate to context.

B. Applicability

this Section (Side/Rear Yard Fences & Walls) applies to new construction or a site modification involving fences and walls within the side yard or rear yard.

c. Standards
  1. Side yard and rear yard fences, walls, and hedges shall be no taller than specified for the applied Use District (Part 5B.) in the following table:
SIDE/REAR YARD FENCE, WALL HEIGHT

Use Districts
Height (Max)
Open Space (OS)
8'
Agricultural (A)
8'
Residential (RG)
8'
Residential-Mixed (RX)
8'
Commercial-Mixed (CX)
8'
Industrial-Mixed (IX)
8'
Industrial (I)
None*
Public (P)
None*
  • A Class 1 Conditional Use Permit (Sec. 13B.2.1.) is required for fences and walls exceeding

eight feet in height or the maximum height established by Sec. 4C.7.2.E.1. (Exceptions) below where they are adjacent to a lot zoned with a Use District (Part 5B.) other than a Industrial Use District (Div. 5B.7.) , or Public Use District (Div. 5B.8.) .

  1. All fences and walls provided shall comply with Sec. 4C.7.3. (Fence/Wall Design & Installation) .

  2. All hedges provided shall comply with Sec. 4C.6.4. (Plant Design & Installation) .

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Sec. 4C.7.2. (Side/Rear Yard Fences & Walls) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FOrM - FrONtAGe - STANDARDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 4C.7. (Fences & Walls)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

D. Measurement
  1. Where the difference in finished grade on either side of a fence or wall is less than two feet, height is measured from finished grade at the base of the wall or fence on the side with the highest finished grade. Finished grade on either side of a fence or wall is measured as the highest and lowest finished grade within three feet of the fence or wall.

[Figure]

  1. Where the difference in finished grade on either side of a fence or wall is two feet or greater, height is measured from the top of the wall or fence to the average of the finished grades on either side of the fence or wall, (referred to as the midpoint of the retaining wall in the image below). Finished grade on either side of a fence or wall is measured as the highest and lowest finished grade within three feet of the fence or wall.

[Figure]

  1. Fences and walls located in a rear yard or side yard adjacent to an alley are measured vertically from the nearest surface of the adjacent alley, to the topmost point of the wall or fence.

[Figure]

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Sec. 4C.7.2. (Side/Rear Yard Fences & Walls) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FOrM - FrONtAGe - STANDARDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 4C.7. (Fences & Walls)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

e. Exceptions
  1. Where a required frontage screen or transition screen includes a wall or fence minimum height requirement that exceeds the maximum height allowed in Subsection C. (Standards) above, the maximum fence and wall height allowed shall instead be two feet greater than the minimum fence and wall height specified by the required applicable screening standards.

  2. this Section (Side/rear Fences & Walls) does not apply to retaining walls.

F. Relief
  1. Alternative compliance to Side/rear Yard Fences & Walls standards may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) .

  2. A deviation from any Side/rear Yard Fences & Walls dimensional standard of 10 percent or less may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

  3. A deviation from any Side/rear Yard Fences & Walls standard may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 4C.7.2. (Side/Rear Yard Fences & Walls) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FOrM - FrONtAGe - STANDARDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 4C.7. (Fences & Walls)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 4C.7.3. FENCE/WALL DESIGN & INSTALLATION

A. Intent

the intent of the standards of this Section (Fence/Wall Design & Installation) is to allow for needed security and privacy while preventing looming, and ensuring adequate access to light and air for abutting properties.

B. Applicability

this Section (Fence/Wall Design & Installation) applies to new construction or a site modification. When the Fence/Wall Design & installation standards apply, they apply to the fences, walls, or hedges on any portion of a lot.

c. Standards
1. General
  • a. No wall or fence may be constructed of tires, junk, leaves or other discarded materials.

  • b. Fences and walls shall not interfere with visibility at intersections and driveways pursuant to Chapter VI. (Public Works and Property), Sec. 62.200. (Street Intersections - Obstructions to Visibility) of this code.

2. Maintenance

Walls and fences shall be maintained in good repair and shall be kept vertical, structurally sound and protected from deterioration.

D. Measurement

[reserved]

e. Relief
  1. Alternative compliance to Fence/Wall Design & installation standards may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) .

  2. A deviation from any Fence/Wall Design & installation dimensional standard of 10 percent or less may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

  3. A deviation from any Fence/Wall Design & installation standard may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 4C.7.3. (Fence/Wall Design & Installation) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FOrM - FrONtAGe - STANDARDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 4C.8. (Screening)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Exceptions & meaning →

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