Fence Regulations in Modesto, CA (2026)
5 verified fence regulations for Modesto, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Modesto Municipal Code section 10-4.406 caps walls and fences at 8 feet in height citywide. Within the front yard and street-side yard, the maximum drops to 42 inches.
8 ft max overall, 42 in. in front/street side yards
Some RestrictionsModesto Municipal Code § 10-4.406(b)(1)-(2)
No wall or fence shall exceed eight (8) feet in height, unless additional height is required as a condition of a [...] No wall or fence shall exceed forty-two (42) inches within the front and street side yard areas. In the R-1 zone, the street side setback required for fences taller than forty-two (42) inches is ten (10) feet.
Fence Permit Requirements
Modesto follows the California Building Code permit exemption: fences 7 feet or less in height do not require a building permit. Anything taller needs a permit from the Building Safety Division.
Fences over 7 feet require a building permit
Some RestrictionsCity of Modesto FAQ (Building Safety Division), implementing California Building Code § 105.2(1)
Fences 7' or less in height do not require a permit.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Modesto follows California Civil Code regarding shared boundary fences. Adjoining property owners share equal responsibility for maintaining boundary fences under CA Civil Code §841. The city does not mediate private fence disputes.
Modesto Fence Neighbor Rules
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code § 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, maint...
Retaining Walls
Modesto exempts retaining walls up to four feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, from a building permit. Anything taller, or any wall holding back a surcharge or Class I, II, or IIIA liquids, needs Building Safety Division review regardless of height.
Retaining Walls Under 4 Feet Skip a Permit in Modesto
Some RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 9-1.502(d)
(d) Retaining walls that are not over four (4) feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.
Material Restrictions
Modesto Municipal Code § 10-4.406(b)(3) requires any fence along the front of property zoned P-O, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-M, M-1, M-2, or P-D with commercial or industrial underlying zoning to meet the front-yard and street-side-yard setbacks and be built of decorative wrought iron or a similar material the Director authorizes. The Director can excuse existing development.
Modesto Fence Material Rules for Commercial Frontage
Significant RestrictionsModesto Municipal Code § 10-4.406(b)(3)
(1) No wall or fence shall exceed eight (8) feet in height, unless additional height is required as a condition of a zone, variance, use permit, development plan review, parcel map, subdivision map, noise mitigation, or other similar action. (2) No wall or fence shall exceed forty-two (42) inches within the front and street side yard areas. In the R-1 zone, the street side setback required for ...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Modesto city rules.
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