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Laguna Woods · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in Laguna Woods

City code limits fences to 3½ feet in front setbacks bordering a street and 6 feet in setbacks not adjoining a street.

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Key points

  • Fence height: City code limits fences to 3½ feet in front setbacks bordering a street and 6 feet in setbacks not adjoining a street.

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

What Laguna Woods's code says

Laguna Woods code What Laguna Woods's code adds
Corner visibility
  • Fences, walls and hedges can be no more than 3½ feet tall.
    Applies: Within 5 feet of where a street right-of-way line meets an interior property line, a driveway or accessway edge, or an alley line.
    § 13.16.230 · code text
    Notwithstanding Subsection (2) above, the maximum height shall be 3½ feet within five feet of the point of intersection of:
  • Fences, walls and hedges can be no more than 3½ feet tall.
    Applies: At street corners, in the triangle formed by points 15 feet from where the 2 street right-of-way lines meet.
    § 13.16.230 · code text
    Notwithstanding Subsection (2) above, the maximum height shall be 3½ feet within the triangular area formed by drawing a straight line between two points located on, and 15 feet distant from, the point of intersection of two ultimate street or highway right-of-way lines extended.
Height anywhere on the lot
  • No more than 6 feet tall.
    Applies: In required front, rear or side setback areas that do not border a public street.
    § 13.16.230 · code text
    The maximum height shall be six feet within any required front, rear, or side setback area not adjoining a public street.
  • A fence or wall can be 6 feet tall.
    Applies: The part of a lot where vehicle access rights have been given to a public agency.
    § 13.16.230 · code text
    That portion of a building site where vehicular access rights have been dedicated to a public agency may have a six feet high fence/wall.
  • Sound walls can be 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Required sound walls or fences along major arterial highways.
    § 13.16.230 · code text
    Fences/walls for required sound attenuation which border major arterial highways may be six feet high and as high as eight feet if:
  • Sound walls can be as tall as 8 feet.
    Applies: Along major arterial highways, if the highway is at least 2 feet above the lot, or the outside face is no more than 6 feet.
    § 13.16.230 · code text
    Fences/walls for required sound attenuation which border major arterial highways may be six feet high and as high as eight feet if:
Front yard height
  • No more than 3½ feet tall.
    Applies: In the required front setback area of a residential lot bordering a street.
    § 13.16.230 · code text
    The maximum height shall be 3½ feet within any required front setback area and six feet within any rear or side setback area (through which no vehicular access is taken) adjoining a public street, up to a maximum depth of 20 feet.
Side and rear yard height
  • No more than 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Rear or side setbacks along a public street with no vehicle access through them, up to 20 feet deep.
    § 13.16.230 · code text
    The maximum height shall be 3½ feet within any required front setback area and six feet within any rear or side setback area (through which no vehicular access is taken) adjoining a public street, up to a maximum depth of 20 feet.
  • Never more than 8 feet tall, measured from the base of the fence or wall.
    Applies: Side or rear setbacks not along a street, where the neighboring lot is higher than the fence base.
    § 13.16.230 · code text
    However, in no case shall such a fence or wall exceed eight feet from the base of the fence/wall to the top.
Permit
  • A use permit is required for exceptions or changes to the fence and wall height limits.
    § 13.16.230 · code text
    Exceptions and modifications to the fence and wall height provisions may be permitted subject to the approval of a use permit.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Laguna Woods?

City code limits fences to 3½ feet in front setbacks bordering a street and 6 feet in setbacks not adjoining a street.

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Laguna Woods's fences and walls rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Laguna Woods Municipal Code — full text