Ojai · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in Ojai

City rule: fences are limited to 4 ft in front setbacks, 6 ft in side and rear setbacks, and 3 ft at intersections.

Ask about fences and walls in Ojai See coverage

Key points

Fence height: City rule: fences are limited to 4 ft in front setbacks, 6 ft in side and rear setbacks, and 3 ft at intersections.

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

What Ojai's code says

Ojai code What Ojai's code adds
Corner visibility	Fences can be at most 3 feet tall. Applies: In intersection visibility areas where alleys, streets and driveways meet. § 10-2.805 · code text At intersections of alleys, streets, and driveways within intersection visibility areas; see Section 10-2.803 (Height measurement and exceptions), Figures 3-2 and 3-2a \| 3 ft.
Height anywhere on the lot	Fences can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: Anywhere other than front setbacks, side and rear setbacks, and intersection visibility areas. § 10-2.805 · code text At any other location \| 6 ft.
Front yard height	Fences can be at most 4 feet tall. Applies: Front setbacks. § 10-2.805 · code text Front setbacks \| 4 ft. Front setback fences can be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Only temporary, with written Director approval by zoning clearance, for public safety, buffering conflicting uses, or keeping dogs and other animals in. § 10-2.805 · code text additional height in the front setback, up to six feet is necessary, on a defined, term limited temporary basis, to protect public health and safety, to buffer adjacent conflicting land uses, or to ensure safety and preservation of the public's peace and welfare by ensuring safe confinement of dogs and other animals present on the property.
Side and rear yard height	Fences can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: Rear and side setbacks. § 10-2.805 · code text Rear and side setbacks \| 6 ft. Total height can be at most 7 feet, measured from the higher side. Applies: Where neighboring parcels differ in ground level by 2 feet or more. § 10-2.805 · code text provided no fence, wall, or screen shall exceed a total height of seven feet measured from the higher side of the fence, wall, or screen.
Permit	Yes. A zoning clearance is required. Applies: New or replacement fences, walls or screening. § 10-2.805 · code text The determination shall be provided as part of the Zoning Clearance permitting process for new fences, walls, and screening provided in Sections 10-2.803 (Height measurement and exceptions), 10-2.804 (Setback measurement and exceptions), and this section. A minor variance or a variance is required. Applies: To build a fence, wall or screen over 7 feet, measured from the higher side. § 10-2.805 · code text In order to build a fence, wall, or screen higher than this allotted height, a minor variance (Title 10, Chapter 2, Article 25 (Minor Variances)) or variance (Title 10, Chapter 2, Article 26 (Variances)) would first be required.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Ojai?

City rule: fences are limited to 4 ft in front setbacks, 6 ft in side and rear setbacks, and 3 ft at intersections.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Ojai property

Ask GoCodebook how Ojai'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 Ojai

All building on your lot rules in Ojai

Swimming pools in Ojai

Pets, chickens and bees in Ojai

Building in a flood zone in Ojai

Building on a hillside in Ojai

Outdoor lighting in Ojai

Parking spaces required for homes in Ojai

Signs on homes in Ojai

Trash and recycling carts in Ojai

Historic homes in Ojai

Ojai Municipal Code — full text