Fence Companyin La Verne, CA
A fence company in La Verne works to a short list: any fence or wall of 3 feet or taller needs a City fence permit, front yards stop at 3 feet, side and rear yards at 6 feet, and a wall on a public right-of-way or holding back soil also needs a building permit. Foothill lots add more.
Most La Verne fences mark the edge of a valley-floor lot. Orange groves covered much of the town until a citrus disease and post-war housing growth led to groves being bulldozed for tract homes, and the Census Bureau's 2024 five-year estimates now count 7,434 detached houses among 12,020 housing units, 61.8 percent. Many of those lots date from the 1970s, when La Verne grew from 12,965 residents in 1970 to 23,508 in 1980, so the fences along them are often a second or third generation. The City treats fences in hazardous condition, disrepair or decay as a public nuisance under Municipal Code 9.40.040.B, which means an old leaning fence can become a code issue, not just an eyesore.
On a fence job, MDG Builders (CSLB #1040337) measures the lot, prepares the City's permit paperwork and schedules the work, and licensed subcontractors build it: a C-13 fencing contractor for wood, vinyl and metal, and a masonry contractor for block walls. Our fencing page has the sourced prices, the La Verne overview lists the other trades, and nearby cities set their own limits, as the guides for Claremont and Pomona show.
What La Verne's fence code says about height, permits and walls
Where fencing permits come from in La Verne: City of La Verne Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division.
- A fence permit from the Community Development Department is required before building any fence or wall of three feet or taller, with the fee set by council resolution; a building permit is also required for any fence or wall abutting a public right-of-way or serving in any part as a retaining structure (Municipal Code 15.28.020).
- Height limits in all agricultural, residential and commercial zones: 3 feet in the front yard setback, 6 feet in side and rear yards, and 3 feet within 10 feet on either side of a driveway approach in a side yard abutting a street. A 6 foot fence may sit on the street-side property line of a corner lot (but on a reverse corner lot nothing over 3 feet is allowed in the required front yard or street-side yard), and the alley intersection triangle is limited to 3 feet (15.28.030, 15.28.040).
- Where adjoining lots differ in elevation by 2 feet or less, the 6 foot limit is measured from the higher side; where the difference exceeds 2 feet, fences and walls are allowed up to a maximum overall height of 8 feet measured from the lower side (Municipal Code 15.28.050).
- The City's Fence/Wall Permit application asks for a site plan showing setbacks, easements, right-of-way and the water meter, a Public Works check that the fence is outside the right-of-way with clear access to the water meter, and HOA approval where applicable before the permit is issued. It states the permit is not a building permit, that no inspection of construction or workmanship occurs, and that it does not verify property lines.
- The same application warns that an encroachment permit may be required for placing materials in the public right-of-way (LVMC 12.08.150, 12.04.010) and says the right-of-way, measured from the face of the curb inward, varies from 5 feet to 15 feet across the city.
- Residential swimming pool barriers (Municipal Code 15.28.060, 15.28.070): at least 60 inches high, no more than 2 inches of clearance under the barrier, openings that do not pass a 4 inch sphere, pedestrian gates that open outward and self-close and self-latch, and no filling of the pool until the fence and gates pass final inspection. Pools and mechanical equipment must sit at least 5 feet from the property line (15.28.080).
- In the Hillside Development Overlay Zone, walls and fences facing public roadways may be no taller than 5 feet, walls must be at least 5 feet from the city right-of-way line, walls in the required front yard setback may not exceed 3 feet, and fences must be made of noncombustible material (Municipal Code 18.68.150, 18.68.130.A).
- Retaining walls in the Hillside Development Overlay Zone may not exceed 6 feet, taller slopes use at most two terraced walls separated by 5 feet of clear planting area, a privacy wall on top plus exposed retaining wall may not total more than 12 feet, crib walls are prohibited without a variance, and walls over 100 feet long need architectural treatment (Municipal Code 18.68.100).
How tall can a fence be in a La Verne front, side or back yard?
Municipal Code 15.28.030 sets one table for agricultural, residential and commercial zones: 3 feet in the front yard setback, 6 feet in side and rear yards, and 3 feet within 10 feet on either side of a driveway approach in a side yard that abuts a street. A 7 foot backyard fence is therefore above the limit, and the state's 7 foot permit exemption does not raise it.
Height is a zoning question and permitting is a separate one. The state model list of permit-exempt work (R105.2, from the City of Albany's excerpt of the 2025 code) exempts fences not over 7 feet, yet La Verne's own code still asks for a fence permit at 3 feet. We did not open the County Title 30 text the City adopts, so the City's number is the one to follow.
- Front yard setback: 3 feet
- Side and rear yards: 6 feet
- Beside a driveway approach in a side yard that abuts a street: 3 feet within 10 feet
- Alley intersection triangle: 3 feet
We found no La Verne hedge height rule, so ask Planning before you plant a tall screen along a property line.
Do I need a permit to build a fence in La Verne, and which one?
Yes, at 3 feet or taller. Municipal Code 15.28.020 requires a fence permit from Community Development before any fence or wall of three feet or more is built, with the fee set by council resolution, and a building permit as well for any fence or wall that abuts a public right-of-way or acts as a retaining structure. We found no fee amount to quote.
The City's Fence/Wall Permit application asks for a site plan showing setbacks, easements, the right-of-way and the water meter. Public Works checks that the fence sits outside the right-of-way with clear access to the meter, and HOA approval comes first where one applies. The form says the permit is not a building permit, that nobody inspects construction or workmanship, and that the City does not verify property lines, so a survey is your own protection.
Anything placed in the right-of-way may need an encroachment permit, and the form says the right-of-way, measured inward from the face of the curb, runs from 5 to 15 feet across the city. We read the code on the GoCodebook mirror because the official eCode360 site blocked our tools, so confirm section numbers with the City.
Can I build a 6 foot fence on a corner lot or beside a driveway in La Verne?
On an ordinary corner lot, a 6 foot fence may sit on the street-side property line, which surprises owners who assume a corner is always held to the front yard height. A reverse corner lot is stricter: nothing over 3 feet is allowed in the required front yard or in the street-side yard. The alley intersection triangle is held to 3 feet for sight lines (Municipal Code 15.28.030 and 15.28.040).
Which kind of corner you own decides the plan, so ask Planning to classify the lot before posts are ordered. Bring the survey or plat, and ask what the City counts as the front yard on a lot with two street faces. Ask too whether a driveway gate falls under the same 3 foot zone beside the approach.
What if my neighbor's yard is higher, or an oak sits on the fence line?
Elevation changes the measuring point. Where adjoining lots differ by 2 feet or less, the 6 foot limit is measured from the higher side. Where they differ by more than 2 feet, fences and walls may reach a maximum overall height of 8 feet measured from the lower side (Municipal Code 15.28.050). On a stepped tract lot, ask the plan checker which grade the City will use and draw it on the site plan.
Trees are the other surprise. La Verne treats oaks, California sycamores, southern California black walnuts, deodar cedars and camphor trees of 8 inches or more in caliper as significant, and its definition of removal includes paving near them, changing grade over the roots and compaction (Chapter 18.78). Residential trees under 36 inches in caliper on parcels under one acre are excluded. We found no rule on post holes near roots, so ask Planning at 909-596-8706 before digging beside a protected tree.
Which fence and retaining wall rules apply in the Hillside Overlay and the fire zone?
In the Hillside Development Overlay Zone, fences must be noncombustible, walls facing public roads may stand no taller than 5 feet, walls must sit at least 5 feet from the city right-of-way line, and walls in the required front yard setback may not exceed 3 feet (Municipal Code 18.68.150, 18.68.130.A). Retaining walls top out at 6 feet, taller slopes use at most two terraced walls separated by 5 feet of clear planting area, a privacy wall plus exposed retaining wall may not total more than 12 feet, crib walls are barred without a variance, and walls over 100 feet long need architectural treatment (18.68.100).
Wood is a fire question as well. The City's wildfire plan lists wooden fences, decks and patio covers attached to homes as a wood exposure concern. The state exempt list excuses retaining walls up to 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing unless they carry a surcharge, but La Verne requires a building permit for any wall that retains soil. CSLB's C-13 class excludes masonry walls, so block and retaining walls go to a masonry contractor (class C-29).
What fence does a La Verne swimming pool need?
A pool barrier must be at least 60 inches high with no more than 2 inches of clearance beneath it, openings that do not pass a 4 inch sphere, and pedestrian gates that open outward and self-close and self-latch (Municipal Code 15.28.060, 15.28.070). The code also bars filling the pool until the fence and gates pass final inspection.
Pools and mechanical equipment must sit at least 5 feet from the property line (15.28.080), which affects where the fence can run on a narrow lot. Because pool barriers, 6 foot privacy fences and hillside walls all follow different tables, have the proposal name which rule each run of fence answers to. Glass, black steel and iron panels are common barrier choices, and any of them must still pass the 4 inch sphere and the 2 inch gap.
How much does fence installation cost, and who pays for a shared fence?
We found no La Verne fence price survey, so we use Los Angeles sources. Angi's Los Angeles page, updated August 4, 2026, lists a $3,051 average job and $2,100 to $2,350 for 100 feet, HomeGuide, Thumbtack and Fixr give overlapping per-foot ranges, and the federal wage survey puts the area's fence erector at a mean $28.00 an hour (May 2025). From those we plan about $25 to $55 per linear foot for a 6 foot wood or vinyl privacy fence, $12 to $30 for chain link, $35 to $85 for aluminum or ornamental iron, and about $2,500 to $5,500 for a 100 foot backyard run. We print no block wall price because we found no independent source.
For a boundary fence both owners use, Civil Code 841 presumes the cost is shared equally and calls for 30 days' written notice before one owner spends money, though the presumption can be rebutted. Our guide to how general contractors use subcontractors explains who builds what, and the contractor license guide shows how to verify each license.
Fence photos from La Verne and nearby communities
Fencing scenes tied to La Verne lots and to nearby places such as San Dimas, Claremont and Pomona, from low front runs and 6 foot backyard fences to hillside walls and pool barriers.
Where these La Verne fence figures come from
You can see each fence price and where it came from in the table on our fencing price page. A new fence often goes up with other work, and the La Verne rules for it are on the roofing page, the painting page and the kitchen remodeling page. For other foothill cities to compare, read the fencing guides for Glendora and San Dimas, or the one for Glendale.
| What it covers | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Wood or vinyl privacy fence, 6 feet | $25 to $55 per linear foot |
| Chain-link | $12 to $30 per linear foot |
| Aluminum or ornamental iron | $35 to $85 per linear foot |
| Typical 100-foot backyard run | $2,500 to $5,500 total |
| Block walls, horizontal slat fences, gates and openers, hillside lots | Set by the written proposal |
La Verne fence questions, answered
How much does it cost to have 100 feet of fence installed?
Roughly $2,500 to $5,500 for a 6 foot wood or vinyl privacy fence, based on Los Angeles sources. Angi's Los Angeles page lists $2,100 to $2,350 for 100 feet, while per-foot ranges from HomeGuide, Thumbtack and Fixr run higher. Gates, old fence removal, slopes and block footings add cost. We found no La Verne survey, so a measured written proposal is the real price.
Do I need a permit to build a fence in La Verne?
Yes, at 3 feet or taller. Municipal Code 15.28.020 requires a fence permit from Community Development, and a building permit too when a fence or wall abuts a public right-of-way or retains soil. The fee is set by council resolution and we found no amount. Call 909-596-8706 to confirm how your case is handled.
What are the new fence rules in California in 2026?
No statewide fence rule change for 2026 turned up in our checks, so we name none. What governs a La Verne fence is local: the code's height table, the fence permit at 3 feet and, on foothill lots, the Hillside Overlay and fire rules. A statewide ember-resistance proposal was reported in conflicting ways when we checked, so ask the City if it applies.
Can I put up a 7 foot fence?
Not in a La Verne side or rear yard as a matter of course, because the limit there is 6 feet. The state model exempt list mentions fences up to 7 feet, but that concerns permits, not zoning, and La Verne's code sets its own table. Where adjoining lots differ in grade by more than 2 feet, up to 8 feet overall may be allowed, measured from the lower side.
Can I put a privacy fence in my front yard?
Only a low one. The front yard setback limit is 3 feet, and in the Hillside Overlay walls in the front setback may not exceed 3 feet either. On an ordinary corner lot a 6 foot fence may sit on the street-side property line, but a reverse corner lot stays at 3 feet in the front and street-side yards. Ask Planning to classify your corner.
Does my neighbor have to pay for half the fence in California?
Often in part, but not automatically. Civil Code 841 presumes adjoining owners share equally the cost of a boundary fence that benefits both, and an owner planning to build must give 30 days' written notice first. The presumption can be rebutted, so talk to the neighbor and put any agreement in writing before a contractor starts.
What happens if I don't have a permit for a fence?
The City can treat it as a code violation. Municipal Code 15.04.080 makes violating the adopted building codes a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail, with each day a separate offense. That section covers the building codes, and we did not read a separate penalty in the fence chapter, so confirm it with the City.
Is it cheaper to install a wood or vinyl fence?
Usually wood, at least at the low end. Angi's national ranges start at $10 per foot for wood and $15 for vinyl, and HomeGuide's start at $20 and $30, though the top ends overlap. We found no sourced lifetime comparison for La Verne, so compare proposals line by line: posts, footings, gates and removal of the old fence.
What is the maximum height for hedges in La Verne?
We found no La Verne hedge height rule, so we will not state one. Fences and walls are covered by Municipal Code 15.28, with 3 feet in the front setback and 6 feet in side and rear yards, and the alley intersection triangle is held to 3 feet. Ask Planning whether any hedge limit applies to your parcel or specific plan area.
What is the maximum height of a retaining wall without a permit?
The state model list exempts retaining walls up to 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing, unless they carry a surcharge. La Verne, though, requires a building permit for any fence or wall that serves in any part as a retaining structure, and hillside retaining walls are capped at 6 feet. Treat any retaining wall as permitted and confirm with the City.
Plan your La Verne fence
Tell us the street, whether the fence is front, side or rear, and whether you are on a corner or a slope. We check the height table and the permit steps before we call back.