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San Diego County · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in San Diego County

Front-yard fences are limited to 42 inches, except open wire, iron or rail fences on lots of 1 acre or more in certain zones. Rear and interior side yard fences and walls, solid or open, are limited to 72 inches.

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Key points

  • Front fences: Front-yard fences are limited to 42 inches, except open wire, iron or rail fences on lots of 1 acre or more in certain zones.
  • Rear and side: Rear and interior side yard fences and walls, solid or open, are limited to 72 inches.

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

What San Diego County's code says

San Diego County code What San Diego County's code adds
Front yard height
  • Up to 42 inches.
    Applies: Solid fences and walls in a front or street-side yard.
    § 6708 · code text
    Front or Exterior Side Yard. Permitted up to a maximum height of 42 inches.
  • Up to 42 inches.
    Applies: Open fences and walls in front or street-side yards; listed open fences on lots of at least 1 gross acre in listed zones: 72 inches.
    § 6708 · code text
    Front or Exterior Side Yard. Permitted up to a maximum height of 42 inches, except as follows:
  • Up to 72 inches in a front or street-side yard.
    Applies: Open wire, wrought iron, pipe corral or rail fences on lots of at least 1 gross acre in A70, A72, RR, S82, S88, S90, S92.
    § 6708 · code text
    On lots of one (1) gross acre or larger in size in the A70, A72, RR, S82, S88, S90 and S92 Use Regulations, open fences consisting of woven or barbed wire, wrought iron, pipe corral, or rails may be 72 inches high.
Side and rear yard height
  • Up to 72 inches.
    Applies: Solid or open fences and walls in rear or interior side yards.
    § 6708 · code text
    Rear or Interior Side Yards. Permitted up to a maximum height of 72 inches.

Also in San Diego County's code: Height of fences (§ 4630). This page does not summarize it yet.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in San Diego County?

Front-yard fences are limited to 42 inches, except open wire, iron or rail fences on lots of 1 acre or more in certain zones. Rear and interior side yard fences and walls, solid or open, are limited to 72 inches.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific San Diego County property

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

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