Camarillo's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Camarillo, California, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Retaining Walls

Camarillo requires a building permit for any retaining wall over 3 feet tall, measured from the top of the footing to the top of the wall. Shorter walls are exempt unless they hold back a surcharge load or contain hazardous liquids.

Key details: Permit-exempt height: 3 feet or less. Measured from: top of footing to top of wall. Exemption void if: wall supports a surcharge. Exemption void if: wall impounds Class I, II, IIIA liquids. Governing code: CBC Sec. 105.2 as amended locally.

Building without a required permit exposes the property owner to Camarillo's work-without-a-permit investigation fee under Sec. 16.04.045: the Building Official orders a special investigation before any permit can be issued, and the investigation fee equals the full permit fee that would otherwise have applied, charged in addition to that permit fee. The investigation fee is owed whether or not a permit is ultimately issued for the unpermitted wall, and paying it does not excuse the owner from complying with every other applicable code requirement.

Height Limits

Camarillo limits fences and walls to six feet along side and rear lot lines and three feet in any front yard under Municipal Code Section 19.38.020. Corner-lot visibility triangles cap obstructions at three feet unless the public works director confirms adequate sight clearance, and grade-difference walls can rise to eight feet with department approval.

Key details: Side/rear yard max: 6 feet. Front yard max: 3 feet. Corner cutback max: 3 feet (unless waived). Tennis court fencing: Over 6 ft, max 40% solid. Grade-difference wall max: 8 feet.

An oversized or noncompliant fence is enforced by the Camarillo Community Development Department; unpermitted or over-height fences can be required to be modified or removed as a zoning violation, and any fence built without the required zone clearance is treated the same as unpermitted construction under Section 19.48.010. A fence found to be a public hazard, even if built before the current height standard, loses its legal nonconforming status and must be corrected.

Material Restrictions

Camarillo restricts barbed wire and concertina wire fencing to commercial and industrial zones, and only under a permit from the director of planning and community development, per Municipal Code Section 19.38.040. Residential zones cannot use either material at all, though the city can separately require a six-foot fence around a physically hazardous area under Section 19.38.030.

Key details: Barbed/concertina wire allowed: Commercial/industrial zones only. Permit required: Yes, from Planning & Community Development. Residential zones: Barbed/concertina wire prohibited. Hazard-area fence height: 6 feet, per Sec. 19.38.030. Governing section: Municipal Code Sec. 19.38.040.

Installing barbed wire or concertina wire in a residential zone, or in a commercial or industrial zone without the required planning and community development permit, is a zoning code violation. The Community Development Department can require removal or replacement of the noncompliant material, and unpermitted fencing is treated as unpermitted construction subject to the zone clearance and building permit requirements of Section 19.48.010.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Camarillo actively enforces its material restrictions requirements.

Neighbor Fence Rules

California Civil Code Sections 841-841.4 govern shared boundary fence responsibilities statewide, including in Camarillo. Both property owners share equally in the cost of maintaining a reasonable boundary fence. Camarillo's zoning code (CMC Title 19) establishes the physical standards fences must meet.

Key details: Cost Sharing: Equal between neighbors (CC 841). Notice Required: 30 days written before work. Good Side Facing: Does not determine ownership. HOA Fences: HOA may own some boundary fences. State Law: California Civil Code 841-841.4.

Fence disputes are primarily civil matters between neighbors. The city enforces zoning compliance (height, materials, setbacks) under CMC Title 19 but does not resolve ownership disputes. California Small Claims Court handles cost-sharing disputes up to $12,500. Contact Community Development at (805) 388-5360 for code compliance.

The rules around neighbor fence rules in Camarillo lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Camarillo's fence regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Camarillo is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Camarillo's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.