Fence Regulations in Fresno, CA (2026)
7 verified fence regulations for Fresno, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Fresno limits fences in the required front yard to 3 feet (4 feet if 80% open wrought iron/tubular steel), allows up to 6 feet in interior side, rear, and street-side yards, and caps overall fence height at 7 feet, all governed by Fresno Municipal Code Section 15-2006.
3 ft front yard, 6 ft side/rear, 7 ft max
Some RestrictionsCity of Fresno Planning, Handout E11 - Fences, Walls, and Hedges (Section 15-2006)
Fences can be six feet high once it's past the front yard setback, see the zoning RE table to the right. In RS-1 established neighborhoods, use the prevailing front yard setback. When there is a natural grade difference between a parcel and a sidewalk or another parcel, a retaining wall/fence combination can go up to seven feet high, measured from the lower side. Department approval is required...
Permit Requirements
A standard residential fence not over 7 feet does not require a building permit in Fresno, but it must still meet the zoning standards of Section 15-2006; fences in the public right-of-way need an encroachment permit, and security/barbed-wire fencing requires a separate permit under Section 15-2009.
No building permit under 7 ft; ROW/security exceptions
Few RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code Sec. 15-2009(D), (F), (G) - Security Fencing, as amended by Ordinance No. 2024-014 (eff. July 11, 2024)
F. Permit. Property owner(s) shall apply for a permit with the City prior to installation. G. City Indemnification. Prior to the installation of security fencing, the fence owner shall obtain a permit and execute an agreement to defend, hold harmless, and indemnify the City against all claims related to the fencing. D. Fencing Encroachments. All fencing within the public right-of-way requires a...
Neighbor Fence Rules
California Civil Code §841 (the Good Neighbor Fence Act) presumes shared boundary fences are a mutual benefit and requires neighbors to split reasonable costs of construction and maintenance. Fresno does not override this; disputes go to small claims court. Written 30-day notice to the neighbor is required before any cost-share project.
Neighbor Fence Rules in Fresno
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act)
(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, mainte...
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls in Fresno require a building permit when they are 4 feet or taller measured from bottom of footing to top, or at any height when they support a surcharge load (slope, driveway, structure). Engineered plans stamped by a California licensed engineer are required for walls over 4 feet.
Retaining Wall Rules in Fresno
Heavy RestrictionsPool Barriers
Under California Health and Safety Code §115920 (the Swimming Pool Safety Act) and FMC Chapter 15, all swimming pools in Fresno must have at least two drowning prevention safety features. Enclosure fencing must be at least 60 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates that open outward away from the pool.
Pool Barrier Rules in Fresno
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code §115923 (Swimming Pool Safety Act)
An enclosure shall have all of the following characteristics: (a) Any access gates through the enclosure open away from the swimming pool, and are self-closing with a self-latching device placed no lower than 60 inches above the ground. (b) A minimum height of 60 inches. (c) A maximum vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure of two inches. (d) Gaps or voids, if any, do ...
Fence Requirements
Residential fences in Fresno are capped at 6 feet in side and rear yards, 3 feet in front yards, and must stay within the corner sight triangle at 3 feet. Material rules in FMC §15-2019 require finished materials facing the street and prohibit barbed wire, razor wire, and electric fencing in residential zones.
Fence Requirements in Fresno
Some RestrictionsMaterial Restrictions
Fresno's official fence handout for Section 15-2006 lists allowed materials (wrought iron, tubular steel, wood, masonry, stucco, decorative concrete, hedges, and chain link in limited cases) and bans improvised, hazardous, and salvage materials such as plywood, chicken wire, corrugated products, piping, doors, mattresses, tarps, and chain link along major streets unless 3 feet or less.
Allowed vs. prohibited fence materials
Some RestrictionsCity of Fresno Planning, Handout E11 - Fences, Walls, and Hedges (Section 15-2006), Materials table
Materials. Allowed: Wrought Iron or Tubular Steel; Hedges; Wood or Split rail wood; Stucco; Brick and stone; Decorative concrete; Shade cloth, when used with chain link, wrought iron, tubular steel; Chain link, when three feet high; Privacy slats, when used with chain link. Not Allowed: Plywood, OSB, pressboard, etc.; Chicken wire, etc.; Corrugated products; Piping; Hazardous fencing; Improvise...
Looking for Fresno County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fresno city rules.
Fence Regulations in Fresno County →