Fences and walls in Fontana: the local rules

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

What Fontana's code says

Fontana code What Fontana's code adds
Corner visibility	No fence, hedge or wall over 30 inches in the corner triangle reaching 30 feet along each property line. Applies: Corner and reversed corner lots. § 30-464 · code text No fence, hedge or wall may exceed a height of 30 inches if located within the corner cutoff of a property.
Height anywhere on the lot	Walls and fences may be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Along interior side and rear property lines, not within the front or street side setback; single-family and multi-family sites. § 30-389 · code text Interior side and rear property line \| 6 feet
Front yard height	Wrought iron or tubular steel decorative fencing may be up to 5 feet tall, measured at the sidewalk. Applies: Required front setback only. Any pilasters: at least 10 feet on center, at most 18 inches wide. Owner must first confirm sight distance in writing. § 30-464 · code text Wrought iron and/or tubular steel decorative fencing, with or without solid pilasters, at a maximum height of five feet measured at the adjacent sidewalk elevation, may be permitted Wrought iron or tubular steel fencing with pilasters and solid masonry filler may be up to 5 feet tall. Applies: In the required front setback, measured at the sidewalk. The solid filler may be no more than 3.5 feet. § 30-464 · code text Wrought iron and/or tubular steel fencing with pilasters, in combination with a solid, decorative masonry wall "filler," with a maximum height of five feet measured at the side-walk elevation to the highest point of the fence Solid hedges, walls and fences may be no more than 42 inches tall, measured from the sidewalk. Applies: In the required front setback. Includes vinyl fencing, open or privacy. § 30-464 · code text Vinyl fencing, open or privacy, shall not exceed three and one-half feet (42 inches) as measured from the adjacent sidewalk. Solid walls may be no more than 3 feet tall. Applies: Within the front or street side setback on single-family and multi-family sites. § 30-389 · code text Solid wall \| 3 feet Open fencing may be no more than 4 feet tall. Applies: Within the front or street side setback on single-family and multi-family sites. § 30-389 · code text Open fencing \| 4 feet
Side and rear yard height	Side and rear hedges, walls and fences may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: In required side or rear setbacks. § 30-464 · code text Side and rear hedges, walls, and fences (including vinyl), located in required side or rear setbacks shall not exceed six feet in height. The 6-foot limit may be raised to at most 8 feet. Applies: When neighboring properties differ in elevation, or other special circumstances exist, as decided by the Director of Community Development. § 30-464 · code text The maximum height of six feet can be increased to a maximum of eight feet in height when adjacent properties differ in elevation or other special circumstances exist as determined by the Director of Community Development. A retaining wall plus a hedge, wall or fence may total no more than 9 feet. Applies: When the combination is needed for proper site drainage to a public right-of-way. § 30-464 · code text no combination of retaining wall and hedges, walls, or fences shall exceed a combined total height of nine feet as measured from the exterior, future adjoining grade. A retaining wall plus a hedge, wall or fence may total no more than 6 feet. Applies: Along the street side setback of a reverse corner lot. § 30-464 · code text Combined retaining and hedge(s), walls(s) or fence(s) shall not be permitted to exceed six feet in height along the street side setback of a reverse corner lot. Walls and fences may be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Along interior side and rear property lines on single-family and multi-family sites. § 30-389 · code text Interior side and rear property line \| 6 feet

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Fontana?

Fontana limits fences in interior side and rear setbacks to 6 feet; front-setback limits are 3 to 5 feet, depending on material.

Fences and walls in Fontana

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What Fontana's code says

Who this affects

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