Fence Regulations in Fontana, CA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Fontana, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Fontana Fence Permit Exemption Rule
Light RestrictionsFontana Municipal Code Sec. 5-62(a)
(a)Section 105.2 Building Exemption 2 of the California Building Code, known as the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2 and the International Building Code, is hereby amended to read as follows:2.Solid fences not over 3-½ feet high and open fences with an open surface area of not less than 90 percent (90%) not over 4 feet high.
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.
Fontana Neighbor Fence Rules
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 841
841. (a) Adjoining landowners shall share equally in the responsibility for maintaining the boundaries and monuments between them. (b) (1) Adjoining landowners are presumed to share an equal benefit from any fence dividing their properties and, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties in a written agreement, shall be presumed to be equally responsible for the reasonable costs of construction, ...
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.
Fontana Retaining Wall Permit Threshold
Light RestrictionsFontana Municipal Code Sec. 5-62(b)
(b)Section 105.2 Building Exemption 4 of the California Building Code, known as the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2 and the International Building Code, is hereby amended to read as follows:4.Retaining walls which are not over 3 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable or combustible liq...
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.
Fontana Electric Fence Ban
Heavy RestrictionsFontana Municipal Code Sec. 16-12
(a)Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, cause to be constructed or maintain an electric fence within the city.(b)Definition. For the purpose of this section, an electric fence is defined as any bare wire or conductor which is supported on insulators and is located outdoors within eight feet of the ground or a walking surface and is attached to a post, fence, wall, tree ...
Looking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fontana city rules.
Fence Regulations in San Bernardino County →