Rancho Santa Margarita · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in Rancho Santa Margarita

Fences: at most 3.5 feet, or 5 feet in front yards with director approval and open bars; rear and non-corner side yards, 6 feet.

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Key points

Fence height: Fences: at most 3.5 feet, or 5 feet in front yards with director approval and open bars; rear and non-corner side yards, 6 feet.

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

What Rancho Santa Margarita's code says

Rancho Santa Margarita code What Rancho Santa Margarita's code adds
Corner visibility	At most 3 feet within 10 feet of a corner side property line; nothing may enter unrestricted visibility areas. Applies: Corner lot side yards on residential and future planned community (FPC) lots. § 9.04.070 · code text Corner lot side yards shall maintain a height limit of three feet within ten feet of a corner side property line. At no time shall such fence, wall, hedge or landscape screening encroach into any area of unrestricted visibility as specified in Section 9.06.100.
Height anywhere on the lot	A fence or wall may be up to 8 feet tall for noise reduction. Applies: Lots next to arterials and highways with a noise contour of 65 dBA or more. Walls over 6 feet need administrative approval. § 9.04.070 · code text Lots adjacent to arterials and highways with a noise contour of 65 dBA or greater as shown in the General Plan noise element may, for noise attenuation purposes, install and maintain a fence or wall to a maximum of eight feet.
Front yard height	Front yard fences may be no more than 3.5 feet tall. Applies: All residential and future planned community (FPC) lots. § 9.04.070 · code text Front yard. Three and one-half feet. Front yard fences may be up to 5 feet tall. Applies: Development Services Director approval needed. Above 3.5 feet: open vertical bars at least 3 inches apart. Sight distance must be confirmed. § 9.04.070 · code text The Development Services Director may approve fences up to five feet in height in front yards if the following requirements are met:
Side and rear yard height	Side yard fences may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: All residential and future planned community (FPC) lots, except corner lots. § 9.04.070 · code text Side yard. Six feet with the exception of corner lots. Rear yard fences may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: All residential and future planned community (FPC) lots. § 9.04.070 · code text Rear yard. Six feet. No more than 8 feet from the base of the fence or wall to the top. Applies: In a side or rear setback where the neighboring site is higher than the fence base; not next to a street or alley. § 9.04.070 · code text However, in no case shall such a fence or wall exceed eight feet from the base of the fence or wall to the top.
Permit	A building permit is required before a fence is built. § 9.04.070 · code text Building permits are required prior to the erection of fences in accordance with the requirements of the most recent Uniform Building Code adopted by the City.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Rancho Santa Margarita?

Fences: at most 3.5 feet, or 5 feet in front yards with director approval and open bars; rear and non-corner side yards, 6 feet.

General information, not legal advice.

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Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code — full text