Fences and walls in Palmdale: the local rules

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

What Palmdale's code says

Palmdale code What Palmdale's code adds
Front yard height	No more than 3 feet. Applies: For a wall, fence or hedge that blocks the view, within required front setbacks in residential and mixed-use zones. § 17.86.040 · code text Three feet for a sight-obscuring wall, fence, or hedge. Up to 5 feet. Applies: For open view fencing within required front setbacks in residential and mixed-use zones. § 17.86.040 · code text Open view fencing may be allowed up to five feet in height. Up to 6 feet. Applies: Open view fence in the required front setback, residential lots of 20,000 square feet or more. Vehicle gates at least 20 feet back. § 17.86.040 · code text On residential lots of 20,000 square feet or more, a six-foot-high open view fence may be located within the required front setback.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 6 feet. Applies: Within required street side setbacks in residential and mixed-use zones. § 17.86.040 · code text Within Required Street Side Setbacks. Six feet. Up to 7 feet. Applies: Within required street side setbacks in residential and mixed-use zones, only if the part above 6 feet is open view fencing. § 17.86.040 · code text An additional foot is allowed (maximum seven feet); provided, that the portion of the fence exceeding six feet in height consists of open view fencing. No more than 6 feet. Applies: Within required interior side and rear setbacks in residential and mixed-use zones. § 17.86.040 · code text Within Required Interior Side and Rear Setbacks. Six feet. Up to 7 feet. Applies: Within required interior side and rear setbacks in residential and mixed-use zones, only if the part above 6 feet is open view fencing. § 17.86.040 · code text An additional foot is allowed (maximum seven feet); provided, that the portion of the fence exceeding six feet in height consists of open view fencing.
Permit	A building permit is required for new fences, walls and screening over 6 feet tall. Applies: In all zones, unless exempt. § 17.86.040 · code text Unless otherwise exempt below, a building permit is required for new fences, walls, and screening over six feet in height in all zones.

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Palmdale?

In residential and mixed-use front setbacks, fences are limited to 3 feet if sight-obscuring and 5 feet if open view.

Fences and walls in Palmdale

Key points

What Palmdale's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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