Fences and walls in Orange County: the local rules

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

What Orange County's code says

Orange County code What Orange County's code adds
Corner visibility	Fences can be at most 3.5 feet tall. Applies: Within 5 feet of where a street right-of-way line meets an interior property line, a driveway or an alley. § 7-9-64 · code text Notwithstanding "b" above, the maximum height shall be three and one-half (3.5) feet within five (5) feet of the point of intersection of: Fences can be at most 3.5 feet tall in the corner triangle. Applies: Street corners: the triangle between 2 points 15 feet from where the street right-of-way lines meet. § 7-9-64 · code text Notwithstanding "b" above, the maximum height shall be three and one-half (3.5) feet within the triangular area formed by drawing a straight line between two (2) points located on, and fifteen (15) feet distant from, the point of intersection of two (2) ultimate street or highway right-of-way lines extended.
Front yard height	Solid fences can be at most 3.5 feet tall. Applies: In any required front setback, up to 20 feet deep. § 7-9-64 · code text The maximum height of solid fencing shall be three and one-half (3.5) feet within any required front setback area up to a maximum depth of twenty (20) feet. Open fences and pilasters can be at most 5 feet tall. Applies: In any required front setback. § 7-9-64 · code text The maximum height of open fencing and pilasters shall be a maximum of five (5) feet within any required front setback area. Retaining walls can be at most 3.5 feet tall. Applies: In the required front setback where the street is higher than the setback; exposed wall face at most 6 feet. § 7-9-64 · code text Where the elevation of the street is higher than the front setback area, the maximum height of a retaining wall shall be three and one-half (3.5) feet within any required front setback area and the exposed area of the retaining wall shall be a maximum of six (6) feet.
Side and rear yard height	Fences can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: Rear or side setbacks next to a street, with no driveway access through them. § 7-9-64 · code text The maximum height shall be six (6) feet within any rear or side setback area (through which no vehicular access is taken) adjoining a street. Fences can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: Required front, rear or side setbacks not next to a street. § 7-9-64 · code text The maximum height shall be six (6) feet within any required front, rear, or side setback area not adjoining a street. Fences or walls can never exceed 8 feet from base to top. Applies: Side or rear setbacks where the neighboring site is higher; height may be measured from the neighbor's ground level. § 7-9-64 · code text However, where the elevation of an adjoining building site to the side or rear is higher than the base of the fence or wall in the side or rear setback area, the height of the fence or wall may be measured from the elevation of the adjoining building site to the top of the fence or wall and in no case shall such fence or wall exceed eight (8) feet from the base of the fence/wall to the top.
Permit	A Site Development Permit for fences up to 8 feet; a Use Permit for fences over 8 feet. Applies: Exceptions to the standard fence and wall height rules. § 7-9-64 · code text Exceptions and modifications to the fence and wall height provisions may be permitted subject to the approval of Site Development Permit by the Director for fences/walls eight (8) feet or less, or approval of a Use Permit for fences/walls greater than eight (8) feet by the Zoning Administrator per section 7-9-125.

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How tall can a fence be in Orange County?

Required front setback: solid fences limited to 3.5 feet, open fencing to 5 feet; setbacks not adjoining a street, 6 feet.

Fences and walls in Orange County

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What Orange County's code says

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