El Cajon · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in El Cajon

El Cajon limits fences to 42 inches in the required front yard and 6 feet behind it; reverse corner lots have extra limits.

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Key points

Fence height: El Cajon limits fences to 42 inches in the required front yard and 6 feet behind it; reverse corner lots have extra limits.

Each rule below links to the section of the El Cajon Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What El Cajon's code says

El Cajon code What El Cajon's code adds
Corner visibility	No fence, wall or hedge may block pedestrian or vehicle visibility; if one would, the city sets its height. Applies: Any fence, wall or hedge, in any location. The director, planning commission or city council decides the height. § 17.130.210 · code text Under no circumstances shall any fence, wall or hedge required or permitted by this title, regardless of its location, block pedestrian or vehicular visibility for safe and easy circulation. In such circumstances, the director or the planning commission, or the city council, as applicable, shall determine the appropriate height of any required or permitted fence, wall or hedge.
Front yard height	Walls, fences and hedges up to 42 inches tall are allowed anywhere on the lot. Applies: Applies in the required front yard; up to 6 feet is allowed only behind the required front yard line. § 17.130.170 · code text A wall, fence or hedge 42 inches in height may be situated and maintained on any part of a lot.
Height anywhere on the lot	Open metal or rigid wire mesh fences can be up to 6 feet tall anywhere on the lot. Applies: Metal bars at least 4 inches apart, or rigid mesh, at least 8-gauge, openings 1 inch or more, not chain link; sight lines kept clear. § 17.130.170 · code text Metal fencing or nonmalleable wire mesh fencing, as generally shown in Figure 17.130.170, not more than six feet in height may be situated anywhere on a lot provided the following standards are satisfied: Solid posts, pilasters or columns can be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Posts at least 8 feet apart on center and no more than 16 inches wide. § 17.130.170 · code text Solid posts, pilasters, or columns are permitted up to six feet in height provided they are located no less than eight feet on center and are no greater than 16 inches in width.
Side and rear yard height	Fences, walls and hedges can be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Anywhere behind the required front yard line; on a reverse corner lot, 42 inches within 10 feet of the side street property line. § 17.130.170 · code text A fence, wall or hedge not more than six feet in height may be situated anywhere on a lot to the rear of the line of the required front yard, except in the case of a reverse corner lot, a fence, wall or hedge higher than 42 inches shall not be situated closer to the side exterior property line than 10 feet. Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 42 inches tall. Applies: Reverse corner lots, within 10 feet of the side street property line. § 17.130.170 · code text A fence, wall or hedge not more than six feet in height may be situated anywhere on a lot to the rear of the line of the required front yard, except in the case of a reverse corner lot, a fence, wall or hedge higher than 42 inches shall not be situated closer to the side exterior property line than 10 feet.
Permit	An administrative zoning permit is required for extra height or other materials. Applies: Walls or fences the director of community development approves where justified. § 17.130.170 · code text Where justified, the director of community development may approve walls or fences with a greater height or alternative material(s), subject to the granting of an administrative zoning permit as described in section 17.40.020(C).

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in El Cajon?

El Cajon limits fences to 42 inches in the required front yard and 6 feet behind it; reverse corner lots have extra limits.

General information, not legal advice.

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El Cajon Municipal Code — full text