Roseville's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Roseville, 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

Roseville requires a grading plan approval for most site grading, but excavation for a retaining wall is exempt from that grading-plan process as long as the wall itself is authorized by a valid building permit.

Key details: Governing chapter: Roseville Mun. Code Ch. 16.20, Grading. Default rule: Grading plan approval required. Retaining wall exemption: Exempt from grading plan only. Condition: Requires valid building permit. Conflict rule: More restrictive of grading ch./UBC controls.

Excavating for or building a retaining wall without the required building permit forfeits the Section 16.20.040(B)(3) grading-plan exemption and exposes the work to both grading-plan and building-permit enforcement; unpermitted retaining wall construction is treated as unpermitted work under the city's adopted Building Code and can require stop-work, after-the-fact permitting, or removal.

Height Limits

Roseville caps residential fences and walls at seven feet, dropping to three feet inside a clear vision triangle, a required front setback, or within five feet of the sidewalk on a corner lot's street side, under Municipal Code Section 19.22.030(C)(4).

Key details: Base fence/wall height: 7 feet max on most of lot. Clear vision triangle height: 3 feet max. Front setback height: 3 feet max. Corner lot street side: 3 feet within 5 ft of sidewalk. Grade rule: Measured from higher adjoining parcel.

A fence or wall built taller than the applicable limit, seven feet on most of the lot or three feet within a clear vision triangle, front setback, or corner-lot sidewalk buffer, is a Title 19 zoning violation. Under Section 19.90.030 a first violation is a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $500.00 and up to six months in county jail, though the City Attorney may reduce the charge to an infraction capped at $250.00, and the noncompliant fence can also be declared a public nuisance subject to abatement.

Fence Permit Requirements

Roseville lets property owners add up to one extra foot to a fence for noise buffering with an Administrative Permit, but any fence or wall over eight feet needs a Conditional Use Permit under Municipal Code Section 19.22.030(C)(4)(c).

Key details: Noise buffer add-on: Up to 1 extra foot. Add-on permit: Administrative Permit. Over 8 feet total: Conditional Use Permit required. Standard height, no permit: Up to 7 feet. Governing section: RMC § 19.22.030(C)(4)(c).

Building a fence above eight feet without first obtaining a Conditional Use Permit, or adding the extra noise-attenuation foot without an Administrative Permit, is a violation of Title 19. Section 19.90.030 makes Title 19 violations misdemeanors punishable by a fine up to $500.00, imprisonment up to six months, or both, with the City Attorney able to charge an infraction capped at $250.00 instead, and the Planning Manager may also require the fence brought into compliance or removed as a public nuisance.

Material Restrictions

Roseville bans barbed wire, electrified fencing, and razor wire on any fence, wall, or hedge citywide, allowing them only for security in non-residential zones above six feet, on land still farmed in the urban reserve zone, or where law otherwise requires them, under Municipal Code Section 19.22.030(F)(3).

Key details: Barbed/electrified/razor wire: Prohibited citywide. Non-residential security exception: Only if 6+ feet above ground. Urban reserve exception: Active agricultural use only. Residential fences: No exception, wire is banned. Governing section: RMC § 19.22.030(F)(3).

Installing barbed wire, electrified fencing, or razor wire outside the three permitted exceptions is a Title 19 zoning violation. Section 19.90.030 classifies Title 19 violations as misdemeanors punishable by a fine of up to $500.00, up to six months in county jail, or both, though the City Attorney may instead charge the matter as an infraction capped at $250.00, and the fencing can also be declared a public nuisance subject to abatement and removal.

Compared to other cities, Roseville takes a harder line on material restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Roseville'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 Roseville is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Roseville 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.