Eastvale fence rules and permits

A plain-English guide for Eastvale, California homeowners. Always confirm with the city before work starts. Rules change.

Do you need a permit?

Depends. Eastvale's Building Safety FAQ says a fence, on the property line or not, needs no building permit if it is 7 feet or less measured from the bottom of the footing and does not hold back earth. Under the zoning code, residential fences that meet the city's standards skip development review, but other fences and walls need minor development review approval. Walls and anything over 7 feet are a different case, so call the city.

Who to ask: City of Eastvale Building Safety, [email protected], 951-703-4450 (website)

The rules

• In the required front yard, fences can be 4 feet tall at most.
• Along rear and interior side property lines, fences can be 6 feet tall at most.
• In the required street side yard, fences can be 6 feet tall at most.
• Near street, alley and driveway corners, the clear visibility area is limited to 30 inches.
• A wall and fence together cannot be more than 6 feet tall, measured from the base as seen from the sidewalk, road or neighbor's lot.
• Barbed wire, electric fences and razor or concertina wire are banned. Chain link is not allowed in a front yard or street side yard.
• Retaining walls under 36 inches are exempt from development review. A building permit may still apply.
• A fence 7 feet or less, measured from the bottom of the footing, that does not hold back earth or carry extra load is exempt from a building permit. Check with the Planning Division at (951) 703-4460 for zoning needs.
• A fence on a residential lot that follows these standards does not need minor development review. Other fences and walls do. A building permit may still apply.

HOAs

Eastvale is mostly newer master-planned neighborhoods. HOA rules vary by builder and neighborhood, so check yours before you plan a fence.

Call before you dig

DigAlert (Southern California 811): dial 811. call at least 2 working days before digging, and no more than 14 calendar days ahead

Local conditions

Eastvale has mild winters and hot summers, with most rain in winter and early spring. It gets about 14.65 inches of rain a year, and summer highs run in the low 90s, often topping 100 in the hottest months.

• Strong summer heat dries and fades wood, so stain and sealer matter.
• Eastvale is flat and low, at about 627 feet, so most lots need level fence lines and straight runs.
• Part of the city borders the Santa Ana River. Lots near the river may have flood or easement limits. Ask the city.
• Most of the area was dairy and farm land until the late 1990s. Soil type and post depth: not confirmed.

Good to know

• Eastvale became a city on October 1, 2010. The 2020 census counted 69,757 people, up from 53,668 in 2010.
• Eastvale is bounded by Hellman Avenue and the San Bernardino County line on the west, SR-60 on the north, the Santa Ana River and Norco on the south, and I-15 on the east.
• The area was mostly dairy farms and farm land until suburban building began in the late 1990s. The name comes from the East Vale school district, recognized in 1893.
• Eastvale Square is a master-planned community of about 159 acres being built by The New Home Company.
• Paseo at Sendero is Century Communities' first single-family community in Eastvale.
• The city's permit desk email is [email protected] and its phone is 951-703-4450.