Fences and walls in Lawndale: the local rules

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

What Lawndale's code says

Lawndale code What Lawndale's code adds
Corner visibility	Only see-through fences within a corner triangle measured 15 feet along the front and side lot lines. Applies: All corner lots. Rounded corners measure from where the extended lot lines meet. § 17.48.050 · code text All corner lots shall maintain for safety vision purposes a triangular area at the street intersection corner of the lot which triangle shall be formed by the front and side lot lines and a diagonal line drawn between two points located fifteen feet along the front and side lot lines from their point of intersection, or, in case of a rounded lot corner, from the point of intersection of the extension of such lot lines. Within such triangular area only see-through fences are permitted.
Front yard height	No more than 30 inches. Applies: Solid fences, hedges or walls that block the view, in the required front yard setback. § 17.48.050 · code text The maximum height of a solid view obscuring fence, hedge or wall located in the required front yard setback is thirty inches. Up to 48 inches. Applies: Fences, hedges or walls in the front yard setback, if the part over 30 inches is see-through. § 17.48.050 · code text Other than described in the next sentence, a fence, hedge or wall up to forty-eight inches in height is allowed within the front yard setback provided that portion over thirty inches is see-through, as defined herein, except for those fences permitted by subsection (C)(2) of this section. Up to 5 feet. Applies: Front yards of homes at the end of a cul-de-sac with no sidewalk, if the part over 30 inches is see-through. § 17.48.050 · code text Fences within the front yards of properties that are on the end of a cul-du-sac with no sidewalk may have a fence, hedge or wall up to five feet provided that the portion over thirty inches is see-through as defined herein.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 6 feet. Applies: Side or rear yards in any residential zone. § 17.48.050 · code text A fence, hedge, or wall shall not exceed six feet in height in any side or rear yard in any residential zone. No more than 8 feet. Applies: Residential side or rear yards next to an alley, commercial property, railroad, or I or O zone. Over 6 feet needs a building permit. § 17.48.050 · code text Except that any property adjacent to an alley, commercially zoned property, inclusive of parking lots, railroad right-of-way and properties zoned I ("Institutional") or O ("Open Space") may have a fence not to exceed eight feet in height.
Permit	Yes. A fence or wall permit is needed before building, replacing or adding to a fence or wall. Applies: Unless an exception applies. Any fence over 6 feet also needs a building permit. § 17.48.050 · code text Any fence exceeding six feet in height may not be constructed without a building permit.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Lawndale?

City code limits solid front yard fences to 30 inches, or 48 inches if see-through above 30; side and rear yard fences 6 feet.

Fences and walls in Lawndale

Key points

What Lawndale's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Lawndale property

More on building on your lot in Lawndale