Do I Need a Permit for a Fence in Long Beach, CA?
Long Beach's fence permit rules are among the more detailed in Southern California—they create a tiered system based on fence height and material that determines whether a permit is required, whether engineering drawings are needed, and whether a Common Property Line Agreement must be notarized and signed. Getting these tiers right before purchasing fence materials or scheduling a contractor saves the frustration of discovering mid-project that the city requires documentation you haven't prepared. The rules come from two sources: Long Beach Municipal Code §18.05.030 (building standards) and Title 21 (zoning—which governs where fences can be, regardless of whether a permit is needed).
Long Beach fence permit rules — the full tier system
Long Beach's fence permitting creates four distinct tiers. Tier 1—fences under 4 feet in height of any material—are entirely exempt from permit requirements under LBMC §18.05.030. Even without a permit, these fences must comply with Long Beach's zoning regulations. Tier 2—fences of wood, chain link, wrought iron, and similar non-masonry materials at 4 feet or taller, up to and including 6 feet 6 inches—require a building permit, but no engineering drawings are required. Tier 3—concrete, masonry, or brick fences (CMU block walls, brick walls, stucco-clad walls) at 4 feet or taller—require both a permit and engineering drawings, even at modest heights like 4–5 feet. Masonry fence walls carry significant weight and impose larger loads on footings than wood or metal fences of the same height. Tier 4—any fence of any material exceeding 6 feet 6 inches—requires engineering drawings, and for commercial properties, a licensed surveyor's lot survey; for residential properties, engineering drawings or manufacturer installation instructions.
The Common Property Line Wall Fence Agreement is required when a fence on the property line separates two privately owned parcels. This document, available from the Development Permit Center as Form FORM-013, requires the signatures of both property owners, and each signature must be notarized. The Agreement establishes the parties' shared understanding of the fence's location, cost allocation, and maintenance responsibility. Bringing an un-notarized Agreement to the permit center will result in the application being held until notarized signatures are obtained—it is worth getting both signatures notarized before showing up to the permit center to avoid a wasted trip.
The permit application for a fence in Long Beach requires, at minimum: a completed Development Permit Application, a Contractor/Owner-Builder Declaration form, a Notice to Property Owner Proxy form (for property owners using a representative), and a Fence Diagram showing the fence's dimensions, location relative to property lines, and the height of the fence at each point. If a Common Property Line Agreement is required, it must be included in the application. If engineering drawings are required (Tier 3 masonry or Tier 4 over-6'6" fences), a licensed engineer's stamped drawings must accompany the application. The Development Permit Center is located at Long Beach City Hall, 411 W. Ocean Blvd., 3rd Floor.
Zoning height limits for fences in Long Beach are governed by Title 21 and operate independently of the building permit requirement. A fence that is under 4 feet (exempt from building permit) still must comply with Title 21's zoning height limits for its yard location. In residential front yards, the maximum fence height under Long Beach's zoning is generally 3 feet—lower than the 4-foot building permit threshold. In "special fence height areas" designated by City Council resolution, the front yard limit is raised to 4 feet. The zoning front-yard limit is the primary operational constraint for most residential front yard fences in Long Beach: you don't need a building permit for a front-yard fence under 4 feet, but you may not be allowed to build over 3 feet in your front yard under the zoning regulations regardless of the permit exemption.
Three Long Beach fence projects — three different permit outcomes
| Fence height/material | Long Beach permit requirement |
|---|---|
| Any material under 4 feet tall | No building permit required. Zoning still applies—front yard typically limited to 3 feet by Title 21 zoning, regardless of building permit exemption. |
| Wood, chain link, wrought iron: 4 feet to 6'6" | Building permit required. No engineering drawings needed for residential. Common Property Line Agreement (notarized) required for shared property line fences. |
| Concrete, masonry, brick: over 4 feet | Building permit required plus engineering drawings (Tier 3). Footing and final inspections required. Engineer's stamped drawings required regardless of how much over 4 feet. |
| Any material over 6'6" (residential) | Permit required plus engineering drawings or manufacturer installation instructions (residential). Commercial: permit plus engineering drawings and lot survey. |
| Fence in a historic district or on a historic landmark | Certificate of Appropriateness required before building permit is issued. Review by Cultural Heritage Commission. Adds 4–8 weeks to project timeline. |
| Fence with electric lights, automatic gate | Electrical permit required for ancillary electrical additions (lights, gate openers) regardless of whether the fence itself requires a building permit. |
Long Beach zoning fence height limits — separate from the building permit
Long Beach's zoning ordinance (Title 21) governs where fences can be located and how tall they can be in each yard of a residential property. These zoning height limits operate completely independently from the building permit requirement—a fence may be exempt from a building permit at 3 feet 6 inches but still violate the 3-foot front yard zoning limit. Violating a zoning height limit is not the same as lacking a building permit, but it creates its own set of enforcement consequences: code enforcement can require the fence to be reduced to the allowed height, which means the cost of removing or cutting down a fence you just installed.
In residential front yards, Long Beach's general zoning limit for fence height is 3 feet. In designated "special fence height areas" established by City Council resolution, this limit is raised to 4 feet in the front yard. Certain other exceptions apply for fences in high-crime areas (requiring an Administrative Use Permit) and for chain link or wrought iron fences in corner cutoff areas (where the limit may be 3 feet for visibility but different materials may be allowed above that within specific limits). In rear yards and side yards, fence heights up to 6 feet are typically permitted. The zoning-allowed height is also measured from grade on the right-of-way side of the fence (for fences along the street right-of-way) or from the average grade of both sides (for fences between two private properties).
Corner lots face additional complexity in Long Beach. At the intersection of two streets or a street and alley, a "corner cutoff area" is required where nothing may impede driver and pedestrian visibility. The corner cutoff area in Long Beach is typically 6 feet by 6 feet (measured from the intersection). Within this corner cutoff zone, fence heights are limited to ensure sight lines. Chain link and wrought iron fences above 3 feet may be permitted in corner cutoff areas if they have sufficient open area to maintain visibility. Solid fences above the sight-line limit are prohibited in corner cutoff areas regardless of the general yard height limit. Before designing a fence for a corner lot, confirm the applicable corner cutoff requirements with the Planning Division at (562) 570-6194.
What a fence permit costs in Long Beach
Long Beach fence permit fees are calculated based on the declared value of the fence project—typically the cost of materials and labor combined. Per the city's standard guidance, expect to spend approximately 2% of building costs on permits, plan checks, and agency fees. For a $8,000 fence project, that translates to approximately $160 in base permit fees, plus the $96 processing fee, plus the combined 11% Technology and General Plan surcharges on applicable fees. In practice, residential fence permits in Long Beach typically run $150–$400 depending on the project value and whether plan review is involved. Engineering fees for Tier 3 masonry fences add $500–$1,000 to the soft cost budget. Permit center staff can provide a fee estimate before a formal application is submitted.
The fence permitting process in Long Beach is conducted at the Development Permit Center, 411 W. Ocean Blvd., 3rd Floor (note: the 3rd floor specifically for fence permits, though 2nd floor is listed for some building permits—confirm with the permit center when visiting). Walk-in hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 am to 4 pm, and Wednesday from 9 am to 4 pm. Simple fence permits that don't require engineering review are typically issued over the counter the same day. Applications can also be submitted online through Long Beach's Accela-powered portal for projects where all required documentation can be uploaded digitally.
What happens without a permit in Long Beach
Unpermitted fences in Long Beach are subject to Code Enforcement action initiated by neighbor complaint, routine enforcement sweeps, or discovery during inspections for other permitted work on the property. For fences that require a permit and don't have one, the enforcement outcome is typically a notice to obtain a retroactive permit or remove the fence. Retroactive permits require the same process as a new permit, but without the ability to do an in-progress inspection—for masonry fences that required engineering, the inspector may require the fence to be partially removed to verify footing dimensions and rebar placement. The cost of partial demolition and reconstruction exceeds the original engineering and permit costs many times over.
For fences that violate zoning height limits (a separate issue from building permits), code enforcement can require the fence to be reduced to the permitted height—again at the owner's expense. California's neighbor fence law (Civil Code §841) also creates legal exposure for fences that were installed without the neighbor's knowledge or consent at the shared property line, and that the neighbor may have had grounds to object to before installation.
Phone: 562-570-LBCD (5223)
Walk-in hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–4 pm; Wed 9 am–4 pm
Online portal: longbeach.gov/lbcd (Accela)
Planning (zoning heights, historic districts): (562) 570-6194
Information Bulletin BU-041: longbeach.gov/lbcd (Residential Fence and Garden Walls)
Website: longbeach.gov/lbcd
Common questions about Long Beach fence permits
Does a standard 6-foot privacy fence require a permit in Long Beach?
Yes, if it is made of wood, chain link, wrought iron, or similar non-masonry materials. A 6-foot fence is above the 4-foot building permit exemption threshold, so a permit is required. At exactly 6 feet (72 inches), the fence is within the 6-foot-6-inch threshold below which engineering drawings are not required for wood/chain link/wrought iron fences—so a standard 6-foot wood privacy fence needs a permit but not engineering drawings. The permit application requires a Development Permit Application, a Fence Diagram, and a Common Property Line Fence Agreement (notarized) for any portion at the shared property line. Standard fence permits for this scope are typically issued over the counter at the Development Permit Center on the same day as application.
What is the Common Property Line Fence Agreement and when is it required?
The Common Property Line Wall Fence Agreement (FORM-013, available from Long Beach's Development Permit Center) is a document required when a permitted fence is constructed on or along the shared property line between two private properties. The Agreement must be signed by the owners of both properties, and each signature must be notarized—photocopies of notarized signatures are not accepted. The Agreement establishes the parties' shared understanding of the fence's location, shared ownership, and maintenance responsibilities per California Civil Code §841. Come to the permit center with the completed, notarized Agreement already in hand—an incomplete Agreement will hold the permit until all signatures are obtained. Both owners must sign, not just the owner initiating the fence project.
Can I build a fence taller than 3 feet in my Long Beach front yard?
Usually not in the zoning-standard front yard. Long Beach's Title 21 zoning ordinance generally limits front yard fence height to 3 feet in residential zoning districts. The building permit exemption (fences under 4 feet need no permit) does not override this zoning height limit—a 3-foot-6-inch front yard fence needs no building permit but may still violate the 3-foot zoning limit. In designated "special fence height areas" established by City Council resolution, the front yard limit is raised to 4 feet. In high-crime areas, an Administrative Use Permit allows taller front yard fences. Confirm your specific front yard height limit with the Planning Division at (562) 570-6194 before purchasing materials.
Do I need engineering drawings for a masonry block wall fence in Long Beach?
Yes, for any concrete, masonry, or brick fence (including CMU block walls) over 4 feet in height. Long Beach's fence permit requirements specify that masonry materials exceeding 4 feet in height require engineering drawings—a licensed structural engineer's stamped plans showing the footing dimensions, block course layout, rebar placement, and grout fill schedule. This requirement reflects the significantly greater weight and lateral load of masonry construction compared to wood or metal fences. The engineering drawings are submitted with the permit application and are reviewed by the Building and Safety Bureau before the permit is issued. A footing inspection before the first course of block and a final inspection are required.
Does an automatic gate require a separate permit?
The gate opener mechanism and any associated electrical work (power supply, photoelectric sensors, code-required entrapment protection devices) require an electrical permit, separate from the fence building permit. Long Beach's FAQ and fence information bulletin both note that "an electrical permit may be required for ancillary additions (i.e., electric lights, automatic gates, etc.) to fence and/or garden walls." The electrical permit covers the 120V or 24V wiring to the gate operator, the outlet or hardwired connection, and any low-voltage components. The gate hardware itself (hinges, gate frame, opener motor) is covered under the fence building permit. Both permits must be in place before the electrical work on the gate begins.
What are the fence permit rules for Long Beach's historic districts?
Properties in Long Beach's designated historic districts and properties that are designated historic landmarks require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before a building permit for a fence will be issued. The COA review, conducted by Long Beach's Planning Bureau with input from the Cultural Heritage Commission, evaluates whether the proposed fence material, height, and design are compatible with the historic character of the district or landmark. Wrought iron, masonry, and wood picket fences in compatible styles and heights are typically favorably reviewed. Non-traditional materials (vinyl privacy fencing, chain-link in front yards of architecturally significant homes) may face more scrutiny. The COA review typically adds 4–8 weeks to the project timeline. Contact the Planning Bureau at (562) 570-6194 to confirm whether your property is subject to COA requirements before finalizing fence design.
Research for nearby cities and related projects
Fence Permit — Los Angeles, CA Deck Permit — Long Beach, CA Room Addition Permit — Long Beach, CA Bathroom Remodel Permit — Long Beach, CAThis page provides general guidance based on publicly available municipal sources as of April 2026. Permit rules change. For a personalized report based on your exact address and project details, use our permit research tool.