Fences and walls in Poway: the local rules

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

What Poway's code says

Poway code What Poway's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet tall within 15 feet of where the driveway meets the street right-of-way. Applies: Residential zones; walls or fences next to a driveway or street that gives vehicle access to a neighboring lot or street. § 17.08.240 · code text A wall or fence adjacent to a driveway or street providing vehicular access to an abutting lot or street shall not exceed three feet in height within 15 feet of the intersection of the driveway and the street right-of-way and/or shall comply with Cal-Trans’s design standards for site visibility.
Height anywhere on the lot	Walls, fences, retaining walls and driveway entry gates may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Residential zones, unless the fence rules allow otherwise. § 17.08.240 · code text A wall, fence, retaining wall, or driveway entry gate and associated pilasters including any appurtenances or any combination thereof shall not exceed six feet in height, except as herein provided. Driveway entry gates and their pilasters may be no more than 7 feet tall. Applies: Properties of at least 1 acre zoned RR-A, RR-B, RR-C or RS-1. § 17.08.240 · code text The maximum height of driveway entry gates and associated pilasters, on properties that are at least one acre in size and zoned RR-A, RR-B, RR-C, or RS-1, shall not exceed seven feet. A wall or fence may be up to 8 feet tall. Applies: Residential zones, only where needed to reduce noise from arterial streets or other sources, if the Director of Development Services allows it. § 17.08.240 · code text A wall or fence up to eight feet in height may be allowed by the Director of Development Services where necessary for noise attenuation from arterial streets or other noise sources.
Front yard height	Fences or walls may be up to 6 feet tall; at least the top 2 feet must be open. Applies: Residential zones, required front yard. Retaining walls, driveway entry gates and walls approved for noise reduction do not need the open top. § 17.08.240 · code text Within the required front yard area, at a minimum, the top two feet of a six-foot fence or wall shall be constructed of open fencing as conceptually shown in Figure B below, unless the wall is a retaining wall, a driveway entry gate and associated pilasters, or additional height is approved for noise attenuation purposes.
Side and rear yard height	Solid walls or fences may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Residential zones, along interior side and rear lot lines. They may not extend into a required front yard, except for noise reduction. § 17.08.240 · code text A solid wall or fence not more than six feet in height may be maintained along the interior side of rear lot lines, except as required by PMC § 17.08.220(A); provided, that such wall or fence does not extend into a required front yard except for noise attenuation as required by the City and as provided in this chapter.

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Poway?

In residential zones, walls and fences are limited to 6 feet; in the required front yard, the top 2 feet must be open fencing.

Fences and walls in Poway

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What Poway's code says

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