How Fontana Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide

Fontana maintains 107 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Fontana falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Material Restrictions

Fontana outlaws electric fences citywide: it's unlawful to construct or maintain one anywhere in the city, residential or otherwise. Sec. 16-12 defines an electric fence broadly to catch any energized bare wire or conductor near the ground, with narrow carve-outs for railway signaling and utility equipment.

Key details: Governing section: Sec. 16-12. Prohibited: Any electric fence citywide. Trigger height: Energized wire within 8 ft of ground. Exceptions: Railway signaling, utility-controlled wiring, NEC enclosures. Penalty: Misdemeanor, up to $1,000/6 mo..

Sec. 16-12(c) makes a violation a misdemeanor outright. Under the citywide misdemeanor schedule at Sec. 1-7, that carries a fine of up to $1,000.00, imprisonment for up to six months, or both, with each day the fence remains in place treated as a separate offense.

This is one of the stricter rules in Fontana's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Fence Permit Requirements

Fontana's building code amendment exempts short fences from a building permit: solid fences up to 3.5 feet and open fences up to 4 feet, with at least 90 percent open surface area, don't need one. Sec. 5-62(a) rewrites California Building Code Section 105.2's Exemption 2 to set those two thresholds; anything taller falls back under the standard permit requirement.

Key details: Solid fence permit exemption: Up to 3.5 feet. Open fence permit exemption: Up to 4 feet, 90% open. Governing section: Sec. 5-62(a), CBC Sec. 105.2. Above threshold: Building permit required.

Building a solid fence over 3.5 feet, or a less-than-90-percent-open fence over 4 feet, without first obtaining a building permit is enforced as a violation of the adopted California Building Code under Sec. 5-5, a misdemeanor punishable per the Sec. 1-7 general penalty of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Fontana gives residents more flexibility on fence permit requirements.

Retaining Walls

Fontana exempts short retaining walls from a building permit: Sec. 5-62(b) rewrites California Building Code Section 105.2's Exemption 4 so any wall not over 3 feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, skips the permit, unless it supports a surcharge or holds back flammable or combustible liquids.

Key details: Exempt height: 3 feet, footing to top. Surcharge/flammable liquid: Permit required at any height. Governing section: Sec. 5-62(b), CBC Sec. 105.2. Adopted code: 2025 California Building Code.

Constructing a retaining wall over 3 feet measured footing-to-top, or one that supports a surcharge or impounds flammable liquid at any height, without a building permit is a Sec. 5-5 misdemeanor, punishable under the Sec. 1-7 general penalty of up to $1,000 in fines, up to six months in jail, or both, per offense.

Fontana is more permissive than most cities when it comes to retaining walls. That said, there are still limits.

Neighbor Fence Rules

California Civil Code Section 841, the Good Neighbor Fence Act, controls shared boundary fences in Fontana. Adjoining neighbors share costs equally unless one party can show unequal benefit, and 30 days written notice is required before construction.

Key details: State Law: CA Civil Code 841. Cost Share: Equal presumed, rebuttable. Notice: 30 days written required. Spite Fence: Over 10 ft nuisance (841.4). Disputes: Small Claims/civil court.

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

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Fontana gives residents more room on fence regulations. 3 of the 4 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

This guide is based on Fontana's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.