San Diego Municipal Code Div. 3 Fence Regulations

(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

The purpose of these regulations is to maintain adequate visibility on private property and in public rights-of-way, to maintain the openness of front and street side yards, to protect the light and air to abutting properties, and to provide adequate screening by regulating the height, location, and design of fences and retaining walls.

(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

(a) This Division applies to the construction of all fences and retaining walls, whether or not a permit or other approval is required.

(b) Table 142-03A shows the applicable regulations and the type of permit
required by this Division, if any, for specific types of fences.

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

Table 142-03A

Fence Regulations Applicability

(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.) (Amended 10-18-1999 by O-18691 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 5-5-2015 by O-20481 N.S.; effective 6-4-2015.) (Amended 3-7-2023 by O-21618 N.S.; effective 5-6-2023.) (Amended 7-22-2024 by O-21836 N.S.; effective 10-5-2024.)

[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-21836 N.S. will not apply within the Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local Coastal Program Amendment. Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-21836-SO.pdf ]

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

(a) Location and Height of Fences

(1) No portion of a fence shall extend beyond the property line of the
premises into the public right-of-way without a Public Right-of-Way
Permit.

(2) Up to 30 percent of the length of a fence may exceed the height limits
specified in this division by up to 6 inches.

(3) Fence height shall be measured in accordance with Section
113.0270(b).

(b) Fence Height in Visibility Areas

Fences in visibility areas shall not exceed 3 feet in height.

(c) Fence Height in Required Front Yards and Required Street Side Yards

(1) Solid Fences

(A) Solid fences located on the front or street side property line
shall not exceed 3 feet in height except as provided in Section
142.0310(c)(1)(C).

(B) The height of a solid fence located in a required yard may
increase as the fence is placed farther from the front or street
side property line. No portion of the fence shall exceed the
height established by a line drawn beginning at a point 3 feet
above grade at the property line and ending at a point 6 feet
above grade at the setback line, as shown in - 142-03A.

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

Diagram 142-03A

Solid Fence--Height Limit

Fence or wall shall not be
Building higher than this line
Structure

6'
3'

Setback line Front or street
side property line

(C) Solid fences located in a required yard that abuts a major street, primary arterial, or freeway, as identified in the applicable land use plan, are permitted up to 6 feet in height if there is at least one horizontal or vertical offset for every 120 square feet of fence area. The offset shall be at least 12 inches wide with a minimum reveal of 4 inches. See Diagram 142-03B.

Diagram 142-03B
Vertical and Horizontal Offsets

12" Min Width
4" Min Reveal

120 Sq. Ft.
Plane Max

Horizontal Offset. 6' Max Ht

Vertical Offset

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

(2) Open Fences

(A) Standard, all metal chain link fences located on the front or
street side property line shall not exceed 3 feet in height.
Other open fences are permitted up to 6 feet in height.
(B) The height of an open fence located in a required yard may
increase as the fence is placed farther from the front or street
side property line. No portion of the fence shall exceed the
height established by a line drawn beginning at a point 6 feet
above grade at the property line and ending at a point 9 feet
above grade at the setback line, as shown in Diagram 142-03C.
(C) An open fence shall have at least 35 percent of the vertical
surface area of each 6-foot section open to light except within
the Coastal Overlay Zone, where an open fence shall have at
least 75 percent of its vertical surface area open to light.

Diagram 142-03C

Open Fence--Height Limit

Fence or wall shall not be
higher than this line
Building
Structure
9'
6'

Setback line Front or street
side property line

(3) Combination (Open and Solid) Fences

(A) On the front or street side property line, an open fence is
permitted on top of a solid fence, provided that the solid fence
and any chain link fence do not each exceed 3 feet in height
and the total height does not exceed 6 feet.

(B) The height of a combination fence may increase as the fence is
placed farther from the front or street side property line. No
portion of the fence shall exceed the height established by a
line drawn beginning at a point 6 feet above grade at the
property line and ending at a point 9 feet above grade at the
setback line, as shown in Diagram 142-03D. Where a visibility
area is required, the beginning point shall be measured 6 feet
above any point of intersection of the perimeter of the visibility
area and the side or rear property line, as shown in Diagram
142-03E.

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

Diagram 142-03D
Combination Fence--Height Limit

Diagram 142-03E

Combination Fence--Height Limit with Visibility Area
STREET

10' 10' SIDEWALK Point of intersection
of the visibility area and
10' 10'
the side property line Front yard

yard 9 ' yard side 6 ' Property line side

Front Point of Rear yard
setback intersection

(C) Vertical elements such as columns or posts shall be provided at
least every 15 feet on a combination fence. Each vertical
element shall be at least 6 inches wide (unfinished dimension),
measured along the face of the fence as shown in Diagram
142-03F.
(D) If wire fence material is used for the open portion of the fence,
a horizontal element shall be provided along the top of the wire
fence. This element shall be at least 1-½ inches wide with a
minimum reveal of 1-½ inches, as shown in Diagram 142-03F.

Ch. Art. Div. 14 2 3 6

San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

Diagram 142-03F

Combination Fence--Vertical and Horizontal Elements

1-1/2" X 1= 1/2" Min. dimension and Detail 1/2" Min. Reveal
1-1/2" Min. Reveal on horizontal element back of fence
NOTE: This is required because this is
a wire fence

6" min
vertical
element

3' max
open fence

6' max
3' max
solid fence

(4) Fence Height Exception in Required Street Side Yards

Solid fences located in the required street side yard of a lot with a rear
yard that abuts the rear yard of another lot, as shown in
Diagram 142-03G, are permitted up to 6 feet in height.

Diagram 142-03G
Fence in Street Side Yard

Fence height not to exceed 6' STREET curb CL CL CL x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Street side yard Street side yard

Side yard Side yard

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

(d) Fence Height in Required Side Yards and Required Rear Yards

Fences located in required side yards and required rear yards are permitted up
to 9 feet in height. Any portion of the fence above 6 feet in height shall be an
open fence.

(e) Fence Height Outside of Required Yards

(1) Fences located outside of required yards, other than those listed in
Section 142.0310(e)(2), shall not exceed 10 feet in height in open
space, agricultural, and residential zones and 12 feet in height in
commercial and industrial zones. These fences may be solid fences,
open fences, or combination fences.

(2) The following fences are permitted outside of required yards up to the
maximum structure height specified in the zone:

(A) Open fences enclosing tennis, badminton, volleyball, and other
recreational and public facilities;

(B) Building, court, and wing walls or other integral portions of a
building.
(Amended 1-9-2001 by O-18910 N.S.; effective 8-8-2001.)
(Amended 3-1-2006 by O-19467 N.S.; effective 8-10-2006.)
(Amended 5-5-2015 by O-20481 N.S.; effective 6-4-2015.)

In the Residential Townhouse (RT) zones, fences located in the required rear yard along an alley adjacent to a garage are permitted up to 10 feet in height. If a roof deck is located on the garage, the fence may extend to the height of the roof deck railing, provided that the fence design is consistent with that of the railing. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

Zones

(a) Fences in Required Rear Yards and Required Side Yards

(1) Solid fences located in the required rear and side yards of
commercially zoned property abutting a residentially zoned lot are
permitted up to 9 feet in height.

(2) Solid fences located in required rear and side yards of industrially
zoned property are permitted up to 9 feet in height.

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

(b) Required Fences

(1) A solid fence shall be constructed along all portions of commercially
and industrially zoned lots that abut residentially zoned lots, unless
there is a grade separation of more than 30 feet between the building
pads of the abutting lots. Any gates provided in required fences shall
also be solid. The fence and gate shall be 3 feet in height in required
front and street side yards and shall be at least 6 feet but not more than
9 feet in height in required side and rear yards. If there is a grade
difference of 30 feet or less between the building pads of the
commercially or industrially zoned lot and the residentially zoned lot,
the required 6-foot fence shall be located at the top of the slope
between the two lots.

(2) Vehicular use areas located in or adjacent to required front or street
side yards shall be screened by a fence or landscaping of at least 3 feet
in height. This screen shall be separated from the adjacent public
right-of-way by a landscape strip that is at least 3 feet wide.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

(a) Location and Height of Retaining Wall

(1) No portion of a retaining wall shall extend beyond the property line of
the premises into the public right-of-way unless an encroachment
permit has been obtained.

(2) Up to 30 percent of the length of a retaining wall may exceed the
height limits specified in this division by up to 6 inches.

(3) Retaining wall height shall be measured in accordance with Section
113.0270(b).

(b) Retaining Wall Height in Visibility Areas

Retaining walls in visibility areas shall not exceed 3 feet in height except that
a retaining wall may be constructed to maintain an existing cut bank adjacent
to a public right-of-way, if the wall follows the contours of the slope.

(c) Retaining Wall Height in Required Front Yards and Required Street Side
Yards

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

(1) Two retaining walls with a maximum height of 3 feet each are
permitted in the required front and street side yard if the two retaining
walls are separated by a minimum horizontal distance equal to the
height of the upper wall. See Diagram 142-03H.

(2) An open fence not exceeding 3 feet, 6 inches in height is permitted on
the top of the upper wall section, or an open fence which in
combination with the upper wall section does not exceed 6 feet in
height is permitted.

(3) Retaining walls of 3 feet in height or greater shall have at least one
horizontal or vertical offset for each 120 square feet of wall area,
except where otherwise provided in Section 142.0340(f). The
horizontal or vertical offset shall be at least 12 inches wide with a
minimum reveal of 4 inches. See Diagram 142-03B.

(d) Retaining Wall Height in Required Side Yards and Required Rear Yards

(1) Two retaining walls with a maximum height of 6 feet each are permitted in the required side and rear yard if the two retaining walls are separated by a minimum horizontal distance equal to the height of the upper wall. See Diagram 142-03H. (2) An open fence not to exceed 3 feet, 6 inches in height is permitted on top of the upper retaining wall.

Ch. Art. Div. 14 2 3 10

San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

Diagram 142-03H
Retaining Wall Requirements

Max
6'
Retaining
Wall H Max or i 6' z o Retaining n t Wall a l
S e p a r a t i o

HorizontalHorizontalseparationseparationdistanceequal toshall be
or lessgreaterthan thanheightorof upperequalwallto the
height of the upper wall

(e) Retaining Wall Height Outside of Required Yards

Retaining walls located outside of the required yards shall not exceed 12 feet
in height.

(f) Exceptions to Retaining Wall Height

(1) Retaining walls that abut a public alley are not required to be separated
into two wall sections, and a solid fence up to 6 feet in height may be
provided on top of the retaining wall if it is 6 feet high or less.

(2) The height of a retaining wall and associated fencing that border an
access to underground parking shall be measured from the street
grade.

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

(3) In commercial and industrial zones, a retaining wall not exceeding 9
feet in height is permitted in the required side and rear yards and shall
not be required to provide a horizontal separation between walls.

(4) When the elevation of the adjacent street grade is higher than the building pad, the following shall apply:

(A) The portion of the retaining wall located at or below the
adjacent street grade is not subject to Section 142.0340(c)(3);
and

(B) Measurement of any portion of the wall or attached fence
above grade shall be taken from the adjacent grade on the
higher side of the retaining wall.
(Amended 1-9-2001 by O-18910 N.S.; effective 8-8-2001.)
(Amended 11-28-2005 by O-19444 N.S.; effective 2-9-2006.)
(Amended 5-5-2015 by O-20481 N.S.; effective 6-4-2015.)

A Neighborhood Development Permit may be requested to permit an increase of up to 20 percent in the fence and retaining wall height limits in Sections 142.0310, 142.0320, 142.0330, and 142.0340. The decision maker may approve a Neighborhood Development Permit for a height exception only if one of the following circumstances exists:

(a) The increase in height is justified because of variations in grade on the site or
abutting the site;

(b) The increase in height is justified because it conforms to the predominant
height of fences or retaining walls in the neighborhood; or

(c) The increase in height is necessary for the health and safety of persons on the
property.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

(a) Electrically Charged Fences

(1) Electrically charged fences are permitted for agricultural uses in
agricultural zones if the fence is at least 600 feet from a residential
zone, and for temporary control of goats used for brush management
in any non-agricultural zones in compliance with the Land
Development Code Section 142.0412, Brush Management, and
Section 44.0307.

(2) Electrically charged fences must be approved by the Underwriter’s
Laboratory or subject to the approval of the City Manager.

(3) Electrically charged fences shall bear an identifying and warning sign
every 100 linear feet or fraction thereof.

(b) Sharp-Pointed Metal Fences

Sharp-pointed metal fences are permitted for agricultural uses in agricultural
zones only.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 9-19-2005 by O-19413 N.S.; effective 10-19-2005.)
(Amended 7-22-2024 by O-21836 N.S.; effective 10-5-2024.)

[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-21836 N.S. will not apply within the
Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local
Coastal Program Amendment.
Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language
http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-21836-SO.pdf ]

(a) Solid fences shall be constructed of wood, brick, block, stone, frame-stucco, tile, metal, opaque plastic, or other similar material. Plywood is not a permitted fence material.

(b) Open fences shall be constructed of materials such as wood, ornamental iron,
metal, screen or decorative block, or translucent plastic or similar material.

(c) Solid and open fences constructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or similar
material are permitted only if the material is prefabricated and manufactured
as a fence.

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

(d) Solid and open fences shall be constructed of new material or used material in
good condition.

(e) Metal fences in required front and street side yards shall be covered with a
colored finish other than galvanized metal in all zones except the IH, IS, IL,
AG and AR zones.

(f) Natural living plant material is not considered fence material and is not
regulated by this division.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

(a) Property owners shall maintain fences and retaining walls free from dilapidated or dangerous conditions.

(b) Property owners shall maintain fences and retaining walls in a graffiti-free
condition.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

(a) This Section regulates monitored perimeter security fence systems.

A monitored perimeter security fence system means a perimeter alarm system
with an assembly of battery powered equipment, including a monitored alarm
device and energizer which is intended to periodically deliver pulses to a
monitored perimeter security fence, a battery charging device used exclusively
to charge the system’s battery, and other integrated components. The
monitored perimeter security fence system transmits a signal intended to alert
the business utilizing the monitored perimeter security fence system or an
alarm monitoring service, or both, in response to an intrusion.

(b) Monitored Perimeter Security Fence General Design Regulations

The following design requirements shall apply to all monitored perimeter
security fence systems.

(1) Unless otherwise specified in this Section, monitored perimeter
security fence systems shall be constructed and operated in accordance
with the International Electrotechnical Commission 2006 International
Standards and specifications (IEC 60335, Part 2 76).

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

(2) The energizer for monitored perimeter security fence systems shall be
driven by a commercial storage battery not to exceed 12 volts of direct
current. The storage battery is the primary power source and shall have
a solar charging capability.

(3) Monitored perimeter security fence systems shall be installed 4 to
8 inches behind a non-electrified perimeter barrier fence that is at least
5 feet in height.

(4) Monitored perimeter security fence systems shall be limited to a height
of 10 feet or 2 feet higher than an existing perimeter fence, whichever
is greater.

(5) Monitored perimeter security fence systems shall be identified by
prominently placed warning signs that are legible from both sides of
the monitored perimeter security fence. The warning signs shall meet
all the following:

(A) The warning signs shall be placed at any gate and access point
on the monitored perimeter security fence, and at intervals
along the monitored perimeter security fence not exceeding
30 feet.

(B) The warning signs shall be adjacent to any other signs relating to chemical, radiological, or biological hazards.

(C) The warning signs shall be marked with the following:

(i) a written warning or a commonly recognized symbol
for shock;

(ii) a written warning or a commonly recognized symbol to
warn people with pacemakers; and

(iii) a written warning or commonly recognized symbol
about the danger of touching the monitored perimeter
security fence in wet conditions.

(6) A "Knox Device" or other similar device shall be installed for Police
and Fire Department emergency access.

(c) General Regulations

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

(1) Use Regulations

Monitored perimeter security fence systems may be permitted by a
Process One and shall only be allowed in industrial zones that do not
allow for residential development.

(2) All monitored perimeter security fence systems shall require an Alarm
System Permit pursuant to Chapter 3, Article 3, Division 37.

(3) In addition to the indemnification requirements set forth in
Sections 126.0109 and 129.0122, all applicants issued permits to
install or use a monitored perimeter security fence system shall agree
as a condition of permit issuance in a separate agreement, to defend,
indemnify and hold harmless the City of San Diego and its agents,
officers, consultants, independent contractors and employees from any
and all claims, actions or proceedings arising out of any personal
injury, including death, or property damage caused by the monitored
perimeter security fence system.

(4) Police or Fire Department personnel, or both, shall be authorized to
disable an installed and operating monitored perimeter security fence
to gain access to the premises if all the following apply:

(A) Access is required due to an emergency or urgent
circumstances;

(B) The Knox Device or other similar device is absent or non-functional; and

(C) An owner, manager, employee, custodian or any other person
with control over the property is not present to disable the
monitored perimeter security fence.
(“Monitored Perimeter Security Fence Systems” added 7-22-2024 by O-21836 N.S.;
effective 10-5-2024.)

[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-21836 N.S. will not apply within the
Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local
Coastal Program Amendment.
Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language
http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-21836-SO.pdf ]

Ch. Art. Div. 14 2 3 16

San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (2-2025)

Article 2: General Development Regulations