Fence Regulations in Cathedral City, CA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Cathedral City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In Cathedral City, fences in rear and side yards cannot exceed six feet. Solid fences in front yards top out at forty-two inches, while open fences up to six feet are allowed in front yards but not chain link or other wire. Fence height is measured from the ground or from the top of a retaining wall.
Cathedral City Fence Height Limits and Corner Rules
Some RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 9.80.120
A. Except for fences required per the zone district regulations, fencing is not required. However, if constructed, fencing within rear and side yards shall not exceed six feet in height. ... Solid fencing within front yards shall not exceed a height of forty-two inches and shall be constructed with finished appearance consistent with the architecture of the main building and the rear and side y...
Fence Permit Requirements
In Cathedral City, only fences and walls not over 3 feet are exempt from a building permit, because the City amended California Building Code Section 105.2 to reduce the exempt height. A fence or wall taller than 3 feet falls outside that exemption, and zoning separately caps rear and side yard fences at six feet.
Cathedral City Fence Permit Exemption Limited to Three Feet
Some RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 8.04.020
§ 8.04.020. Modifications, amendments and deletions to the Building Code. A. The following modifications, amendments and deletions are made to the Building Code: 1. Paragraph 2 of the Building portion of Section 105.2 is amended to reduce the height of fences which are exempt from permit requirements: Building: 2. Fences and walls not over 3 feet.
Retaining Walls
In Cathedral City, the Building Code's permit exemption for retaining walls not over four feet is deleted by Municipal Code § 8.04.020. For one- and two-family properties, § 8.18.020 exempts only retaining walls not over two feet, measured from the bottom of the footing, unless supporting a surcharge. Fences and walls not over 3 feet stay exempt.
Cathedral City Retaining Wall Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 8.04.020
1. Paragraph 2 of the Building portion of Section 105.2 is amended to reduce the height of fences which are exempt from permit requirements: Building: 2. Fences and walls not over 3 feet. 2. Paragraph 4 of Section 105.2 is deleted to remove the exemption from permit requirements for retaining walls that are not over four feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the w...
Material Restrictions
In Cathedral City, a fence can be built of any solid or open material except barbed wire, razor wire, electrified fence, or used materials of any kind. Chain link and other wire fences are also barred in front yards. The city planner can approve alternative materials, and the applicant can appeal that decision to the architectural review committee.
Cathedral City Prohibited Fence Materials
Some RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 9.80.120
The fence may be constructed of any solid or open material except barbed wire, razor wire, electrified fence, or used materials of any kind. Alternative construction material and various metals and composites for walls and fences may be approved by the city planner, which decision may be appealed to the architectural review committee by the applicant. ... Open fences not exceeding six feet in h...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cathedral City city rules.
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