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Fence Regulations in Fontana, CA (2026)

7 verified fence regulations for Fontana, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Height Limits

Fontana caps side and rear yard fences at 6 feet and front yard fences at roughly 36 to 42 inches. Building permits are required for solid walls over 42 inches and for open fencing over 48 inches. Taller decorative or security fences need Planning approval.

Fontana Fence Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Permit Requirements

Fontana requires a building permit for masonry or solid fences over 42 inches and open fencing over 48 inches. Permits are issued through Building and Safety, with Planning review when zoning or setback questions arise.

Fontana Fence Permits

Some Restrictions

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

Some Restrictions

California 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

Retaining walls in Fontana require a building permit once they retain more than 4 feet of soil measured from the bottom of the footing, or at any height if they support a surcharge. Structural plans, drainage design, and geotechnical review are often required.

Fontana Retaining Wall Rules

Some Restrictions

Pool Barriers

California Health and Safety Code Section 115920 and the California Building Code require a 60-inch minimum pool barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates, plus at least one additional drowning-prevention feature. Fontana enforces these standards through the building permit and final inspection for any new pool.

Fontana Pool Barrier Rules

Heavy Restrictions

Fence Requirements

Fontana fence rules combine Zoning Code height and setback limits with Building Code structural requirements and design-review standards in specific plan areas. Standard residential fences are 6 feet side and rear, 42 inches front, with permits required for masonry walls over 42 inches.

Fontana Fence Requirements

Some Restrictions

Material Restrictions

Fontana does not ban specific fence materials citywide, but design standards, HOA CC and Rs, and specific plan overlays routinely limit front-yard materials to masonry block, stucco, wrought iron, or approved decorative styles. Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in residential zones.

Fontana Fence Material Restrictions

Some Restrictions

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