Fence Regulations in Merced, CA (2026)
3 verified fence regulations for Merced, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Merced caps fences, walls and hedges at 4 feet in required exterior yards and 7 feet everywhere else on residential lots, with a 2.5-foot cap inside driveway and corner vision triangles. Non-solid fences like wrought iron or chain link can reach 6 feet with a minor use permit.
Merced Fence Height Limits by Yard
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 20.30.020(A), Table 20.30-1
A.Residential Zoning Districts.1.Basic Standards. Fences, walls, and hedges in residential zoning districts shall comply with the standards in Table 20.30-1 (Fence Height in Residential Zoning Districts)... Table 20.30-1 Fence Height in Residential Zoning Districts Location Maximum Height Within required exterior yards 4 feet [1] Within a driveway vision triangle 2.5 feet [2] Within a corner vi...
Fence Permit Requirements
Merced does not require a permit for a standard-height fence, but any fence taller than the base limit in Table 20.30-1, or one in a nonresidential district over 8 feet, needs a minor use permit and reviewing-authority findings before it can be built.
When Merced Requires a Fence Permit
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 20.30.020(B)-(C)
B.Nonresidential Zoning Districts1.The maximum height of a fence or wall within a nonresidential zoning district shall be eight (8) feet.2.Fences up to ten (10) feet in height may be approved with a site plan review permit or with any other discretionary permit if required for the same project.C.Minor Use Permits for Fences. In addition to the requirements in Section 20.68.020 (Minor Use Permit...
Material Restrictions
Merced bans barb-wire and razor-wire fencing citywide unless a minor use permit is approved, and prohibits electric fences outright in every residential zone. Sheet metal, vehicles, tanks, garage doors and corrugated tin are also barred as fencing materials.
Merced Fence Material Rules: Barbed and Electric
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 20.30.040
A.Permitted Materials. Fences and walls shall be constructed of decorative masonry, ornamental steel or iron, or wood and shall be of a complementary color and material with adjacent buildings... B.Prohibited Materials.1.Fences and walls shall not be constructed of inappropriate materials such as sheet metal, vehicles, underground/above-ground tanks, garage doors, aluminum siding, corrugated ti...
Looking for Merced County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Merced city rules.
Fence Regulations in Merced County →