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Long Beach · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in Long Beach

In residential zones, front-yard fences max 3 ft (4 ft in special fence areas, extra foot wrought iron or chain link); other yards 6 ft 6 in. Residential fences may reach 8 ft beside a nonresidential district or use or along an alley, and 10 ft outside required yards.

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Key points

  • Fence heights: In residential zones, front-yard fences max 3 ft (4 ft in special fence areas, extra foot wrought iron or chain link); other yards 6 ft 6 in.
  • Taller fences: Residential fences may reach 8 ft beside a nonresidential district or use or along an alley, and 10 ft outside required yards.

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

What Long Beach's code says

Long Beach code What Long Beach's code adds
Corner visibility
  • Fences in the corner cutoff area may be up to 3 ft.
    Applies: Applies in all zones.
    § 21.43.030 · code text
    6. All zones—corner cutoff area | 3 ft.
  • Chain link and wrought iron/metal tubing fences over 3′ high are allowed if they do not obstruct visibility.
    Applies: In corner cutoff areas.
    § 21.43.030 · code text
    In corner cutoff areas, chain link and wrought iron/metal tubing fences more than three feet (3′) in height are allowed if they do not obstruct visibility.
Front yard height
  • Maximum front-yard fence height is 3 ft.
    Applies: In residential zones; 4 ft in special fence height areas if the extra foot is wrought iron or chain link; may exceed 3 ft in high crime areas with an administrative use permit.
    § 21.43.030 · code text
    -Front yard | 3 ft. (b), (f)
  • Maximum fence height is 4′.
    Applies: In residential front yard setbacks in the City Council-designated special fence height area, the additional foot must be wrought iron or chain link.
    § 21.43.030 · code text
    In the area designated as the special fence height area, as designated by resolution of City Council, the fence height in the front yard setback shall be increased to four feet (4′), provided the additional foot of height is wrought iron or chain link.
Side and rear yard height
  • Maximum fence height is 6 ft. 6 in.
    Applies: In residential other yard areas.
    § 21.43.030 · code text
    -Other yard area | 6 ft. 6 in.
  • Maximum fence height is 10 ft.
    Applies: For residential properties outside of required yard areas.
    § 21.43.030 · code text
    -Outside of required yard area | 10 ft.
  • Maximum fence height is 8 ft.
    Applies: For residential property abutting a nonresidential district or use.
    § 21.43.030 · code text
    -Abutting a nonresidential district or use | 8 ft.
  • Maximum fence height is 8 ft.
    Applies: For residential rear and side lines abutting an alley, flood control channel, or other public right-of-way other than a street.
    § 21.43.030 · code text
    -Abutting an alley, flood control channel, or other public right-of-way other than a street | 8 ft. (c)
  • Maximum fence height is 8 ft.
    Applies: On a residential lot, only along specified rear or reverse-corner side property lines abutting a major arterial or regional corridor.
    § 21.43.030 · code text
    -Abutting a major arterial/regional corridor | 8 ft. (d)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Long Beach?

In residential zones, front-yard fences max 3 ft (4 ft in special fence areas, extra foot wrought iron or chain link); other yards 6 ft 6 in. Residential fences may reach 8 ft beside a nonresidential district or use or along an alley, and 10 ft outside required yards.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Long Beach property

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

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Long Beach Municipal Code — full text