Fence Regulations in Monterey, CA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Monterey, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Fences and walls in Monterey's R-E Residential Estate District top out at six feet, dropping to four feet in a required front yard or the side yard adjoining a street on a reverse corner lot. Corner lots also carry a 30-foot visibility triangle where fences cannot obstruct sightlines.
Monterey Fence and Wall Height Limits
Some RestrictionsMonterey City Code § 38-22(D)(10)
10. Fences and Walls.The maximum height of a fence or wall shall be six feet, except in required front or side yard adjoining a street of a reverse corner lot, where the maximum height shall be four feet. In addition, all fences and walls shall be subject to the driveway visibility requirement of Article 18 - Off-street Parking Loading Regulations. Corner lot fences or walls shall be reviewed b...
Fence Permit Requirements
Monterey caps fences and walls at six feet citywide under Sec. 38-22(D)(10), dropping to four feet in a required front or side yard on a reverse corner lot, and that height is by-right with no discretionary review. Only a fence exceeding six feet next to Highway 1 needs a Zoning Administrator variance and, once granted, a Building Division permit before installation.
Monterey Fence Height Limit and Highway 1 Permit
Some RestrictionsMonterey City Code §§ 38-22(D)(10), 38-153(C)(9)(f), 38-222(B)
10. Fences and Walls.The maximum height of a fence or wall shall be six feet, except in required front or side yard adjoining a street of a reverse corner lot, where the maximum height shall be four feet. ... 9.Variances for fence and wall heights above 6 feet adjacent to Highway 1 where all of the following determinations can be made: ... f.The fence or wall that exceeds 6 feet in height must ...
Retaining Walls
Monterey limits the combined height of a retaining wall plus a fence on the same property line to eight feet, caps any fence alone at six feet, and requires a Use Permit for a retaining wall over six feet tall in a required yard.
Monterey Caps Combined Fence and Wall Height at 8 Feet
Some RestrictionsMonterey City Code § 38-26(E)
E. Fences and Retaining Walls.The combined height of a retaining wall and a separate fence on a property line shall not exceed eight feet unless the fence is set back from the retaining wall a minimum of half the distance of the required setback but no more than five feet. In no case may a fence exceed six feet in height. If a fence is on one property and the retaining wall on the abutting prop...
Material Restrictions
Monterey City Code § 32-2 bars anyone from placing, fastening, stretching or maintaining barbed wire, for fencing or any other purpose, along the line of any street, lane, alley or public place in the city. The City Manager can order removal within 30 days, and the Street Superintendent can pull it out if the owner does not.
Monterey Bans Barbed Wire Fencing on Streets
Some RestrictionsMonterey City Code § 32-2
No person shall place, fasten, stretch or maintain any barbed wire, either for the purpose of fencing or otherwise, along the line of any street, lane, alley or public place within the City. ... No person owning or maintaining any barbed wire placed, fastened or stretched along the line of any street, lane, alley or public place within the City shall maintain the same after the expiration of 30...
Looking for Monterey County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Monterey city rules.
Fence Regulations in Monterey County →