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Downey · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in Downey

Downey limits residential fences to 42 inches in front and street side setbacks and 7 feet on interior side and rear lines.

Key points

  • Fence height: Downey limits residential fences to 42 inches in front and street side setbacks and 7 feet on interior side and rear lines.

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

What Downey's code says

Downey code What Downey's code adds
Corner visibility
  • At most 30 inches in the corner cutback; fences over 42 inches need 5-foot triangle setbacks at driveways and alleys.
    Applies: Residential zones, front and street side setback area.
    § 9520.08 · code text
    42 inches in the front and street side setback area, except within the corner cutback (see Figure 9.5.10, Street Side Lot) where the maximum height is 30 inches. In addition, on a street side yard, walls or fences not exceeding seven feet in height may be constructed not less than three feet from the side street property line nor closer than 35 feet to the front property line. Walls or fences exceeding 42 inches in height shall have five-foot triangular setbacks abutting driveways and alleys within the required setback area (Figure 9.5.10);
Front yard height
  • Walls and fences can be at most 42 inches tall.
    Applies: Front and street side setback area in all residential zones.
    § 9520.08 · code text
    42 inches in the front and street side setback area, except within the corner cutback (see Figure 9.5.10, Street Side Lot) where the maximum height is 30 inches.
Side and rear yard height
  • Walls and fences can be up to 7 feet tall.
    Applies: Residential street side yards only: at least 3 feet from the side street property line and at least 35 feet from the front property line.
    § 9520.08 · code text
    In addition, on a street side yard, walls or fences not exceeding seven feet in height may be constructed not less than three feet from the side street property line nor closer than 35 feet to the front property line.
  • Walls and fences can be at most 7 feet tall.
    Applies: Interior side and rear property lines, outside the required front or street setback, in all residential zones.
    § 9520.08 · code text
    Seven feet on interior side and rear property lines when not located in the required front or street setback. See Figure 9.5.10.
  • A decorative masonry wall at least 5.5 feet and no more than 7 feet high is required.
    Applies: R-3 and R-3-O properties next to an R-1 or R-2 property, along the shared property line.
    § 9520.08 · code text
    Properties in the R-3 and R-3-O Zones, when abutting an R-1 or R-2 zoned property, shall construct a decorative masonry wall not less than five and one-half feet or more than seven feet in height above the finished grade along the common property line, unless the height of the wall would exceed the maximum height allowed elsewhere in the section.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Downey?

Downey limits residential fences to 42 inches in front and street side setbacks and 7 feet on interior side and rear lines.

General information, not legal advice.

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