Fences and walls in Palm Desert: the local rules

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

What Palm Desert's code says

Palm Desert code What Palm Desert's code adds
Front yard height	Up to 3 feet 6 inches. Applies: In front and side setbacks, 7 feet from the curb face, on RE, R-1, R-2, R-3 and PR lots; not in the public right-of-way. § 25.40.080 · code text Short fence \| 7′-0″ from curb face 1 \| 3′6″ 3 feet 7 inches to 4 feet 11 inches. Applies: Front and side setbacks, 15 feet from the curb face, on RE, R-1, R-2, R-3 and PR lots. Must not block driveway or corner views. § 25.40.080 · code text Moderate height fence \| 15′-0″ from curb face 1,2 \| 3′7″ to 4′11″ 5 to 6 feet. Applies: In front and side setbacks, 20 feet from the curb face, on RE, R-1, R-2, R-3 and PR lots. § 25.40.080 · code text Tall fence \| 20′-0″ from curb face \| 5′ to 6′
Side and rear yard height	No more than 6 feet. Applies: For walls and fences behind the front building setback that can be seen from the street, including side and rear-yard fences. § 25.40.080 · code text Walls and fences at or behind building setbacks, visible from ROW \| Behind front building setback (side yard tie-in fences, interior side yard and rear-yard fences) \| 6′-0″ No more than 6 feet. Applies: For walls and fences behind the front building setback that cannot be seen from the street. § 25.40.080 · code text Walls and fences, not visible from ROW \| Behind front building setback \| 6′-0″ No more than 6 feet, measured from the highest adjoining grade. Applies: For retaining walls, or retaining walls with wrought iron fences, at a cut slope on a rear or interior side property line. § 25.40.080 · code text Retaining walls and combinations of retaining and wrought iron fences (cut slope) \| Rear or interior side property line associated with a cut slope \| 6′-0″ (highest adjoining grade) No more than 6 feet, measured from the lowest adjoining grade. Applies: For retaining walls at a fill slope on a rear or interior side property line. § 25.40.080 · code text Retaining walls (fill slope) \| Rear or interior side property line associated with a fill slope \| 6′-0″ (lowest adjoining grade) 3 No more than 9 feet from the lower grade, and no more than 6 feet from the higher grade. Applies: For a solid retaining wall with a wrought iron fence at a fill slope on a rear or interior side property line. § 25.40.080 · code text Combinations of solid retaining walls and wrought iron fences located on a rear or interior side property line associated with a fill slope \| 9′-0″ (lower adjacent grade) 6′-0″ (maximum combination fence height measured from the higher adjacent grade)
Permit	Yes, a permit from the building official, after paying the set fees. Applies: For walls, including retaining walls. § 27.28.140 · code text Appropriate fees in accordance with the schedule of fees as adopted from time to time by resolution of the city council shall be paid, and a permit shall be obtained from the building official.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Palm Desert?

Walls and fences behind the front building setback, including side yard, interior side and rear-yard fences, are limited to 6 feet.

Fences and walls in Palm Desert

Key points

What Palm Desert's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Palm Desert property

More on building on your lot in Palm Desert