Skip to content

Apple Valley · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in Apple Valley

Apple Valley limits solid fences to 48 inches in the required front yard and 6 feet elsewhere; open decorative fencing in front, 6 feet.

Ask about fences and walls in Apple Valley See coverage

Key points

  • Fence height: Apple Valley limits solid fences to 48 inches in the required front yard and 6 feet elsewhere; open decorative fencing in front, 6 feet.

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

What Apple Valley's code says

Apple Valley code What Apple Valley's code adds
Corner visibility
  • Nothing man-made can be taller than 30 inches above the nearest street level.
    Applies: Inside the Clear Sight Triangle on corner lots.
    § 9.28.120 · code text
    On corner lots, no man-made visual obstructions may be erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow within the Clear Sight Triangle to a height in excess of thirty (30) inches above the nearest street elevation.
  • The Clear Sight Triangle reaches 30 feet from the intersection, or 10 feet at driveways.
    Applies: Corner lots.
    § 9.28.120 · code text
    The Clear Sight Triangle is defined as the area within the triangle formed by connecting the points thirty (30) feet (ten feet at driveways) from the intersection of the two right-of-way lines (or directions of travel).
  • Trees must be trimmed to the trunk up to at least 6 feet above the nearest street level.
    Applies: Trees inside the Clear Sight Triangle on corner lots.
    § 9.28.120 · code text
    Trees within the Clear Sight Triangle shall be trimmed (to the trunk) to a line at least six (6) feet above the nearest street elevation.
Height anywhere on the lot
  • Solid walls or fences can be up to 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Not in the required front yard, or within 12 feet of the right-of-way in the street side setback; corner lots: outside the Clear Sight Triangle.
    § 9.28.120 · code text
    On all other lots, and corner lots outside of the Clear Sight Triangle, a maximum six (6)-foot high solid wall or fence may be located anywhere except in the required front yard
  • No more than 8 feet tall, measured from the lowest finished grade at the wall.
    Applies: Combined retaining and garden or privacy walls in side or rear yards with a ground-level difference, unless the Planning Commission approves otherwise.
    § 9.28.120 · code text
    the height of such combination wall shall not exceed eight (8) feet as measured from the lowest finished grade at the wall unless otherwise reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission
Front yard height
  • Solid walls and fences can be no more than 48 inches tall, or the height the CC&Rs allow, if any.
    Applies: In the required front yard, where walls and fences are allowed.
    § 9.28.120 · code text
    Within the required front yard where permitted and closer than twelve (12) feet to the right-of-way in the street side yard setback, solid walls and fences shall be limited to forty-eight (48) inches in height
  • Open decorative fencing can be up to 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Wrought-iron or other open fencing with decorative features in the front or street side setback; chain link does not count as decorative.
    § 9.28.120 · code text
    Wrought-iron or other open fencing incorporating decorative features such as pilasters and spires or other embellishments, may obtain a height of six (6) feet within the front yard or street side yard setback
Side and rear yard height
  • Solid walls and fences can be no more than 48 inches tall, or the height the CC&Rs allow, if any.
    Applies: Within 12 feet of the right-of-way in the street side yard setback.
    § 9.28.120 · code text
    solid walls and fences shall be limited to forty-eight (48) inches in height or the height permitted by the CC&Rs, if any
  • Open decorative fencing can be up to 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Wrought-iron or other open fencing with decorative features in the street side yard setback.
    § 9.28.120 · code text
    may obtain a height of six (6) feet within the front yard or street side yard setback
Permit
  • Planning Division review is required for all walls over 3 feet tall, including retaining and perimeter walls.
    § 9.28.120 · code text
    All walls, including retaining walls as well as perimeter walls, over three (3) feet in height are subject to Planning Division review.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Apple Valley?

Apple Valley limits solid fences to 48 inches in the required front yard and 6 feet elsewhere; open decorative fencing in front, 6 feet.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Apple Valley property

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

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Apple Valley

All building on your lot rules in Apple Valley

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Apple Valley

Noise and construction hours in Apple Valley

Garage and yard sales in Apple Valley

Group homes and residential care in Apple Valley

Parking spaces required for homes in Apple Valley

Signs on homes in Apple Valley

Trash and recycling carts in Apple Valley

Apple Valley Municipal Code — full text