Division 4C.7 — FENCES & WALLS

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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

Walls) .

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

| 4-113

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ]

Div. 4C.7. (Fences & Walls)

A. Intent

i

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

i

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 modifcationi

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

 - 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.) .

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

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

i

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

i

| 4-114

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ]

Div. 4C.7. (Fences & Walls)

D. Measurement

i

i i i

i

i

i

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

i

i i i

i

i

i

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.

Height

i

i i i

i

i

i

2. 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.

Top of Fence

i

i i i

i

i

i

3. 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.

i

i i i

i

i

i

Alley

i

i i i

i

i

i

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

i

i i i

i

i

i

| 4-115

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ]

Div. 4C.7. (Fences & Walls)

E. Exceptions

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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) .

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

| 4-116

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ]

Div. 4C.7. (Fences & Walls)

A. Intent

i

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

i

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 modifcationi .

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) .

i

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

i

| 4-117

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 4C.8. (Screening)