Chino Hills · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in Chino Hills

Fences are limited to 4 feet in required front yards (6 with a minor exception) and 6 feet in side and rear yards.

Ask about fences and walls in Chino Hills See coverage

Key points

Fence height: Fences are limited to 4 feet in required front yards (6 with a minor exception) and 6 feet in side and rear yards.

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

What Chino Hills's code says

Chino Hills code What Chino Hills's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot	No maximum height for hedges. Applies: Hedges anywhere except the required front yard setback in single-family zones and single-family uses in the PD district. § 16.06.120 · code text Hedges in all other locations shall have no maximum height. Retaining walls are limited to 4 feet high. Applies: Retaining walls outside the required front yard, on prominent knolls and ridgelines and in the Carbon Canyon Area. § 16.06.120 · code text For walls constructed in the areas defined in Section 16.08.050(B) of this Code, the wall shall be limited to a height of four (4) feet. Up to 5 feet, only with an approved minor variance. Applies: Retaining walls visible from a public street, outside the required front yard, on prominent knolls and ridgelines and in the Carbon Canyon Area. § 16.06.120 · code text However, upon approval of a minor Variance pursuant to Chapter 16.72 of this Development Code, a height of up to five (5) feet may be permitted for walls visible from a public street Up to 8 feet, only with an approved minor variance. Applies: Retaining walls not visible from a public street, outside the required front yard, on prominent knolls and ridgelines and in the Carbon Canyon Area. § 16.06.120 · code text and a height of up to eight (8) feet may be permitted for walls not visible from a public street.
Front yard height	No more than 4 feet in the required front yard. Applies: Single-family zones and single-family uses in the PD district. A 6-foot maximum is allowed if extra stated requirements are met. § 16.06.120 · code text Required front yard—Four (4) feet maximum, except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, a six-foot maximum is permitted if the requirements set forth in subsection (C)(3) of this section are met. No more than 4 feet in the required front yard. Applies: Multi-family zones and multi-family uses in the PD district. Up to 6 feet if the part above 3 feet is open or transparent. § 16.06.120 · code text Required front yard—Four (4) feet maximum, except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, a six-foot maximum is permitted on condition that the portion of the fence or wall projecting above three (3) feet, excluding pilasters, shall be an open material (e.g. tubular steel) or transparent material (e.g. acrylic). Up to 6 feet in the required front yard. Applies: Multi-family zones and multi-family uses in the PD district, only if the part above 3 feet is open or transparent material. § 16.06.120 · code text Required front yard—Four (4) feet maximum, except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, a six-foot maximum is permitted on condition that the portion of the fence or wall projecting above three (3) feet, excluding pilasters, shall be an open material (e.g. tubular steel) or transparent material (e.g. acrylic). Up to 6 feet in the required front yard, only with an approved minor exception. Applies: Residential zones. The part above 3 feet must be open material, and walls must be decorative block or stucco with a decorative cap. § 16.06.120 · code text Fences and walls taller than four (4) feet within the required front yard are permitted up to a maximum of six (6) feet if a minor exception is approved pursuant to Chapter 16.73 and subject to compliance with all of the following requirements: Hedges no taller than 4 feet. Applies: Hedges within the required front yard setback in single-family zones and single-family uses in the PD district. § 16.06.120 · code text Hedges within the required front yard setback shall not exceed four (4) feet in height. Retaining walls no taller than 4 feet in the front yard. Applies: Required front yard in a residential zone. Total wall height, retaining part included, is also 4 feet unless minor exception rules are met. § 16.06.120 · code text The height of retaining walls in the front yard shall be equal to or less than four (4) feet in height.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 6 feet for fences and walls. Applies: Required side and rear yards in single-family zones and single-family uses in the PD district. § 16.06.120 · code text Required sides and rear yard—Six (6) feet maximum for fences and walls. No more than 6 feet. Applies: Required side and rear yards in multi-family zones and multi-family uses in the PD district. § 16.06.120 · code text Required sides and rear yard—Six (6) feet maximum.
Permit	A minor exception is needed for front-yard fences or walls over 4 feet; up to 6 feet is allowed. Applies: Fences and walls taller than 4 feet in the required front yard of a residential zone. Other stated requirements also apply. § 16.06.120 · code text Fences and walls taller than four (4) feet within the required front yard are permitted up to a maximum of six (6) feet if a minor exception is approved pursuant to Chapter 16.73

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Chino Hills?

Fences are limited to 4 feet in required front yards (6 with a minor exception) and 6 feet in side and rear yards.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Chino Hills property

Ask GoCodebook how Chino Hills'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 Chino Hills

All building on your lot rules in Chino Hills

Running a business from home in Chino Hills

Solar panels and EV chargers in Chino Hills

Pets, chickens and bees in Chino Hills

Building in a flood zone in Chino Hills

Noise and construction hours in Chino Hills

Garage and yard sales in Chino Hills

Signs on homes in Chino Hills

Trash and recycling carts in Chino Hills

Chino Hills Municipal Code — full text