Fences and walls in San Clemente: the local rules

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

What San Clemente's code says

San Clemente code What San Clemente's code adds
Side and rear yard height	No more than 3 feet 6 inches. Applies: Street-side setback area of a reverse corner lot, residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Street-Side Setback Area \| Reverse corner lot: 3 ft 6 in. No more than 3 feet 6 inches. Applies: Corner lots, within 5 feet of the street-side property line, residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Corner lot: Within 5 feet from street-side property line: 3 ft. 6 in. No more than 6 feet. Applies: Corner lots, rest of the street-side setback area beyond 5 feet from the line, residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Remaining width of street-side yard: 6 ft. No more than 6 feet. Applies: Interior side setback area in residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Interior Side Setback Area \| 6 ft. No more than 6 feet. Applies: Rear yard setback area in residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Rear Yard Setback Area \| 6 ft.
Height anywhere on the lot	No more than 6 feet. Applies: Interior side, rear yard and other areas of the lot in residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Interior Side Setback Area \| 6 ft.
Front yard height	No more than 3 feet 6 inches. Applies: Front yard setback area in residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Front Yard Setback Area \| 3 ft 6 in. Up to 6 feet, only with a Minor Exception Permit. Applies: Front yard setback area in residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text A Minor Exception Permit is required to allow the height of a fence, wall or hedge in front yards and street side yard setback areas (within five feet of property line) to be increased to a maximum of six feet per Section 17.16.080, Minor Exception Permits.
Permit	A Minor Exception Permit is needed to go up to 6 feet. Applies: Fences, walls and hedges in front yards and street-side setbacks within 5 feet of the property line, residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text A Minor Exception Permit is required to allow the height of a fence, wall or hedge in front yards and street side yard setback areas (within five feet of property line) to be increased to a maximum of six feet per Section 17.16.080, Minor Exception Permits. A Conditional Use Permit is needed to go over 6 feet in the rear half of a lot. Applies: Residential fences, walls and hedges around tennis courts, similar recreation areas or private screened outdoor areas. § 17.24.090 · code text A Conditional Use Permit is required to allow the height of a fence, wall, or hedge in the rear half of a lot to exceed six feet when the fence, wall, or hedge encloses tennis courts, other similar recreational areas, or private screened outdoor areas, per Section 17.16.060, Conditional Use Permits.

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in San Clemente?

Front-yard fences: at most 3 ft 6 in, or 6 ft with a Minor Exception Permit; side and rear setbacks, 6 ft.

Fences and walls in San Clemente

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What San Clemente's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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