Fence height rules in Carpinteria, California
In Carpinteria's single-family zones you can put up a fence up to 3 feet tall in the front yard setback and up to 6 feet tall in the side and rear yard setbacks without zoning review. Taller fences need approval from the Community Development Department, and corner lots must keep a 10-foot vision clearance.
| Max height, front yard setback (no review) | 3 feet [1] |
| Max height, side and rear yard setbacks (no review) | 6 feet [2] |
| Taller fences | May be approved by the Community Development Department with findings [3] |
| Corner-lot vision clearance (residential) | At least 10 feet [5] |
| How height is measured | From finished grade on the lower side of the fence [4] |
Height limits in single-family zones
In single-family districts, fences 3 feet or lower in the required front yard setback [1] and fences 6 feet or lower in the required side and rear yard setbacks [2] are exempt from the zoning chapter's fence provisions. That means no zoning review for a typical backyard fence of 6 feet or less.
Going taller
A fence over 3 feet in the front setback or over 6 feet in a side or rear setback isn't banned outright. The Community Development Department may approve it if it finds that the design and materials are compatible with neighboring fences and the neighborhood, and that the fence won't block vision or create a hazard for drivers, cyclists or pedestrians [3].
Corner lots and sight lines
Fences and landscape plantings on corner lots must meet the vision clearance rule in Section 14.50.060 [2]. In residential districts, a vision clearance of at least 10 feet is required on all corner lots [5]. The code text we have doesn't spell out how the clearance area is drawn, so ask staff before building near a corner.
Measuring height and retaining walls
Height is measured from finished grade on the lower side of the fence, wall or planting [4]. If a fence sits on top of a retaining wall, the department decides how to measure it, and retaining walls that need footings require a building permit [4].
Other districts
Outside single-family districts, fences are reviewed by the Architectural Review Board as part of a development plan, or by the Community Development Department when no development plan applies.
The code we reviewed doesn't set a separate setback from the property line or a rule on which side faces out. Carpinteria is entirely in the coastal zone, so check whether a coastal development permit applies to your fence.
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Next steps
- Measure where the fence will go: front yard setback (3 ft limit) or side/rear setback (6 ft limit).
- On a corner lot, confirm the 10-foot vision clearance area with the Community Development Department, 5775 Carpinteria Ave, (805) 684-5405.
- For a taller fence, apply to the Community Development Department with plans showing design and materials so staff can make the required findings.
- If the fence includes a retaining wall with footings, get a building permit from Building & Safety.
Common questions
- How tall can a fence be in Carpinteria, California?
- In single-family zones, you can put up a fence up to 3 feet tall in the front yard setback and up to 6 feet tall in the side and rear yard setbacks without zoning review. Height is measured from finished grade on the lower side of the fence.
- Can I build a fence taller than 6 feet in Carpinteria, California?
- Possibly. The Community Development Department may approve a taller fence if it finds the design and materials are compatible with the neighborhood and the fence won't block vision or create a hazard for drivers, cyclists or pedestrians.
- What are the corner lot fence rules in Carpinteria, California?
- In residential districts, a vision clearance of at least 10 feet is required on all corner lots. The code doesn't spell out how the clearance area is drawn, so ask staff before building near a corner.
- Do I need a permit for a fence in Carpinteria, California?
- Not zoning review for a fence within the height limits, but retaining walls that need footings require a building permit. The whole city is in the coastal zone, so check whether a coastal development permit applies.
California state rules on fences
Fence height, location and design are mostly set by your city or county zoning code. A few state rules apply everywhere:
- Building permit: the California Residential Code (R105.2) exempts fences up to 7 feet high from a building permit. Pool barriers are not exempt. Zoning height limits still apply, and many cities cap front-yard fences well below 7 feet. Some cities have amended the exemption.
- Spite fences: under Civil Code §841.4, a fence or fence-like structure that unnecessarily exceeds 10 feet and is maliciously put up or kept to annoy a neighbor is a private nuisance. The neighbor can sue to have it removed.
- Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code §841): since January 1, 2014, neighbors are presumed to share equally the reasonable cost of building, maintaining or replacing a fence between their properties, unless they agree otherwise in writing.
- Before spending money on a shared fence, you must give each neighbor 30 days' written notice. The notice must describe the problem, the proposed fix, the estimated cost, how costs would be shared, and the timeline.
- A neighbor can overcome the presumption in court by showing equal sharing would be unjust, for example because of financial hardship or costs driven by the other owner's aesthetic preferences.
- Pool fences must meet the Swimming Pool Safety Act's barrier standards when used as the pool enclosure (see Pools).
- Coastal zone: a new fence may need a coastal development permit, depending on the local coastal program.
What the ordinance says
- Sec. 14.50.050(1)(a), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.50 General Use and Development Standards (14.50.010 coastal plan development standards; .020 accessory structures; .030 home occupations; .040 swimming pools; .050 fences, walls and landscape plantings), p. 1
Fences of three feet or less in height located in the required front yard setback; and
- Sec. 14.50.050(1)(b), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.50 General Use and Development Standards (14.50.010 coastal plan development standards; .020 accessory structures; .030 home occupations; .040 swimming pools; .050 fences, walls and landscape plantings), p. 1
Fences of six feet or less in height may be located in the required side and rear yard setback. Fences located on corner lots and landscape plantings shall meet the vision clearance requirement of Section 14.50.060 .
- Sec. 14.50.050(2), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.50 General Use and Development Standards (14.50.010 coastal plan development standards; .020 accessory structures; .030 home occupations; .040 swimming pools; .050 fences, walls and landscape plantings), p. 1
In single-family districts, proposed fences to exceed the above requirement of three feet in the front yard setback and proposed fences to exceed six feet in height in the side or rear yard setback, may be considered and approved by the community development department if at minimum, the following findings can be made:
- Sec. 14.50.050(4), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.50 General Use and Development Standards (14.50.010 coastal plan development standards; .020 accessory structures; .030 home occupations; .040 swimming pools; .050 fences, walls and landscape plantings), p. 1
The height of fences, walls, and landscape plantings shall be determined by measurement from the finished grade at the lower side of the fence, wall or landscape planting. The height of fences or walls located on top of retaining walls shall be determined by the community development department. Retaining walls requiring footings shall require a building permit and shall be consistent with all provisions of this chapter.
- Sec. 14.50.060(1), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.50 General Use and Development Standards (14.50.010 coastal plan development standards; .020 accessory structures; .030 home occupations; .040 swimming pools; .050 fences, walls and landscape plantings), p. 1
In agricultural and residential districts, a vision clearance of not less than ten feet shall be provided on all corner lots.