Redding's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Redding, California, there are 5 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.

Height Limits

Redding regulates fence and wall heights in the Zoning Code at Chapter 18.40 (Development and Site Regulations), with the walls-and-fences section at 18.40.180. Residential-district fences are generally limited to six feet in side and rear yards and lower in front yards, with corner-lot sight-triangle restrictions also applied. The California Building Code separately exempts fences seven feet or shorter from a state building permit when not within 10 feet of a public right-of-way, but the City zoning limit still controls.

Key details: Code Section: RMC §18.40.180 (Walls and Fences). Typical Residential Cap: 6 feet (side/rear); lower in front. CBC Permit Exemption: Up to 7 ft and >= 10 ft from public ROW. Retaining Wall Cap: 4 ft footing-to-top (without surcharge). Corner Sight Triangle: Additional height limit at intersections.

A fence or wall in violation of §18.40.180 is a zoning violation enforceable by the City Zoning Officer. Remedies include written notice, an order to lower or remove the structure, and administrative citations under RMC Title 1. Continued non-compliance can lead to misdemeanor prosecution under the Municipal Code and abatement at the property owner's expense.

Permit Requirements

Redding does not require a building permit for fences seven feet or shorter located at least 10 feet from a public right-of-way, per California Building Code §105.2 as adopted by the City. However, the local zoning rule in RMC §18.40.180 still controls placement, height, sight triangles, and materials - and any fence over 7 feet, or any retaining wall over 4 feet, requires a building permit issued through Development Services.

Key details: Building Permit Threshold: Fences over 7 ft, or within 10 ft of public ROW. Retaining Wall Permit Threshold: Over 4 ft footing-to-top, or any surcharge. Zoning Rule (Always Applies): RMC §18.40.180 (regardless of permit exemption). Floodway Fences: Generally prohibited (RMC §18.51.040(D)). Permit Issuer: Redding Development Services Permit Center.

Building a fence over the 7-foot CBC exemption without a permit is a building-code violation under CBC §113 and RMC Title 16; ignoring §18.40.180 is a zoning violation. Either can be cited by the City with stop-work orders, removal orders, and administrative penalties. Retroactive permits are typically allowed but at a doubled fee. Violations in the floodplain are independently a public nuisance under §18.51.170.

Approved Materials

Redding's Zoning Code §18.40.180 governs allowed fence materials in residential and other districts, while RMC §18.51.040(D) outright prohibits fences and walls in the floodway or flood-fringe (except arterial street walls with openings to pass floodwaters). Specific bans on barbed wire, electric fences, or razor wire in residential districts are set in §18.40.180 and the adopted California Fire Code (CFC) - confirm specific material lists with the City Permit Center before installing.

Key details: Local Material Rules: RMC §18.40.180 (prohibited/restricted materials). Wildland-Urban Interface: CFC §4907; PRC §4291 (defensible space). Floodway Fence Ban: RMC §18.51.040(D) (except arterial street walls). Carr Fire Context: Redding's 2018 wildfire drove WUI map expansion. Permit Issuer: Development Services Permit Center.

Material violations under §18.40.180 are enforced by the Zoning Officer with removal orders and administrative citations. WUI/defensible-space violations of CFC §4907 or PRC §4291 are enforced by CAL FIRE or the local Fire Marshal with separate civil penalties. Fence material in the floodway is a §18.51.170 public nuisance subject to mandatory removal within 30 days plus a recorded riparian reclamation plan.

Pool Barriers

Redding requires every outdoor residential pool to be enclosed by a permanent barrier at least 60 inches (5 feet) tall, with a maximum 2-inch bottom clearance, openings that cannot pass a 4-inch sphere, and self-closing/self-latching gates that swing away from the pool with latch hardware at least 60 inches above ground. The rules come from California Health & Safety Code §115921-115929 (the Swimming Pool Safety Act), California Building Code Appendix AX, and local provisions at RMC §18.40.160 / §18.43.02(C), as compiled in the City's published Residential Swimming Pools and Spas Homeowners Guide.

Key details: Minimum Barrier Height: 60 inches above grade. Bottom Clearance: 2 inches (4 inches on aboveground pool wall). Max Opening: 4-inch sphere test. Chain-Link Mesh: 2.25 in max (1.75 in with slats). Gate: Self-closing, self-latching, opens away, latch >= 60 in.

Non-compliant barriers are enforced by the City Building Code Official under RMC Title 16. Penalties include stop-work orders, mandatory drain-down until compliance, administrative citations, and an order to bring the barrier into compliance before the pool is filled or plastered. Civil liability under the attractive-nuisance doctrine for a child drowning in an unsecured pool is independent and frequently runs into seven figures in California.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Redding actively enforces its pool barriers requirements.

Neighbor Fence Rules

Redding's Zoning Code (RMC §18.40.180) regulates fence height, location, and materials, but private boundary-fence disputes are governed by California Civil Code §841 - the Good Neighbor Fence Act of 2013. Section 841 presumes adjoining landowners share equally the responsibility and cost of a partition fence and requires 30 days' written notice with cost estimate, scope, and timeline before building or repairing. Disputes are heard in Shasta County Superior Court, not at City Hall.

Key details: State Statute: Civil Code §841 - Good Neighbor Fence Act of 2013. Cost Presumption: Equal share (rebuttable) for shared boundary fence. Notice Required: 30 days written notice with cost/scope/timeline. Spite Fences: Civ Code §841.4 - over 10 ft, malicious purpose. Adverse Possession: 5 years continuous use + tax payment (CCP §325).

Zoning violations are enforced by the City under §18.40.180. Private trespass, partition-fence cost-sharing, and spite-fence claims are heard in Shasta County Superior Court. Civil Code §841.4 spite-fence remedies include abatement and damages. Civil Code §841 cost-sharing disputes are typically heard in small claims (under $12,500) or limited civil court.

The Bottom Line

Redding'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 Redding is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Redding can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.