Fences and walls in Santa Clarita: the local rules

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

What Santa Clarita's code says

Santa Clarita code What Santa Clarita's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot	A see-through safety fence up to 3 1/2 feet high. Applies: On top of a retaining wall holding fill above natural grade, on land with an average slope under 10%. § 17.57.070 · code text A non-view-obscuring fence up to three and one-half (3 1/2) feet in height may be erected at the top of the retaining wall for safety.
Front yard height	Walls, fences and view-blocking plants no higher than 42 inches. Applies: Any required yard next to a street or a driveway serving an abutting lot. § 17.57.070 · code text In any required yard adjacent to a street or a driveway providing vehicular access to an abutting lot, a wall, fence, or view-obscuring vegetation shall not exceed forty-two (42) inches in height, except as herein provided. Up to 48 inches. Applies: See-through pipe or rail fencing in a required yard next to a street or driveway. § 17.57.070 · code text The height may be increased to forty-eight (48) inches for non-view-obscuring pipe or rail fencing.
Side and rear yard height	A garden wall or fence up to 6 feet. Applies: Along interior side or rear lot lines; not into a required front yard or street side yard. § 17.57.070 · code text A garden wall or fence not more than six (6) feet in height may be maintained along the interior side or rear lot lines; Up to 15 feet, with an adjustment. Applies: Required rear yard; at least 5 feet from an interior side or rear yard line. § 17.57.070 · code text Fences or garden walls in excess of six (6) feet in height, but not more than fifteen (15) feet in height, may be permitted in a required rear yard subject to the issuance of an adjustment per Section 17.24.100 (Adjustments);
Permit	Director approval for walls and fences over 6 and under 15 feet outside required yards. Applies: An adjustment is needed for rear-yard fences over 6 feet (up to 15 feet) and retaining walls over 6 feet measured from a neighboring parcel. § 17.57.070 · code text All walls and fences outside of any required yard in excess of six (6) feet, but less than fifteen (15) feet in height, shall be subject to the approval of the Director.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Santa Clarita?

Fences are limited to 42 inches in required yards next to a street and 6 feet along interior side or rear lot lines.

Fences and walls in Santa Clarita

Key points

What Santa Clarita's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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