Fences and walls in Santa Monica: the local rules

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

What Santa Monica's code says

Santa Monica code What Santa Monica's code adds
Front yard height	Hedges, fences and walls can be at most 42 inches tall. Applies: In the front setback, between the front or street-side line and the building or setback line. Outside the Downtown Community Plan Area. § 9.21.050 · code text Hedges, fences and walls: 42 inches in height. One pergola or similar feature, at most 8 feet tall, 8 feet wide and 3 feet deep. Applies: In the front setback. A pergola is not a fence or wall. § 9.21.050 · code text One pergola or similar feature: 8 feet in height and width and 3 feet in depth. Ornaments on top of a fence or wall can rise up to 12 inches above the height limit. Applies: In the front setback. Each ornament is at most 12 inches wide and at least 5 feet from the next. § 9.21.050 · code text Ornamental attachments atop a fence or wall: 12 inches above the maximum height limit with a maximum width of 12 inches for each attachment and a minimum distance of 5 feet between each attachment.
Side and rear yard height	Fences and walls can be at most 8 feet tall. Applies: In side and rear setbacks, outside the Downtown Community Plan Area. § 9.21.050 · code text Fences and walls: 8 feet. Hedges can be at most 12 feet tall. Applies: In side and rear setbacks, outside the Downtown Community Plan Area. No limit for hedges within 10 feet of an alley. § 9.21.050 · code text Hedges: 12 feet, except that there is no height limit for hedges adjacent to and located within 10 feet of an alley, measured perpendicularly from the side or rear property line that is adjacent to the alley. No height limit. Applies: For hedges next to an alley and within 10 feet of it. § 9.21.050 · code text Hedges: 12 feet, except that there is no height limit for hedges adjacent to and located within 10 feet of an alley, measured perpendicularly from the side or rear property line that is adjacent to the alley. Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 5 feet tall. Applies: Downtown Community Plan Area only, at or behind building front. Walls and fences over 42 inches at least 50% see-through. Not on street-facing line. § 9.21.050 · code text At or behind the building frontage: 5 feet in height. Walls and fences above 42 inches in height shall be a minimum of 50% visually transparent.

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Santa Monica?

Outside Downtown, front-setback hedges, fences and walls are limited to 42 inches; side and rear setback fences and walls, 8 feet.

Fences and walls in Santa Monica

Key points

What Santa Monica's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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