Fence Regulations in Rancho Cordova, CA (2026)
5 verified fence regulations for Rancho Cordova, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Rancho Cordova caps front-yard fences at three feet and rear, interior-side and street-side yard fences at seven feet under RCMC § 23.731.040's Table 23.731-1, dropping to just 30 inches within the clear-visibility triangle at street and driveway intersections. A front fence can reach five feet if it sits at least three feet back from the property line and stays at least half open.
Rancho Cordova Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsRancho Cordova Municipal Code (RCMC) § 23.731.040 (Height Limits and Locations); Table 23.731-1
Each fence, wall, and screen shall comply with height limits and locations shown in Table 23.731-1 (Maximum Height of Fences, Walls, and Screening in Required Yard Area). ... Required front yard area: 3 feet. ... Required rear and interior side yard area (along rear and interior property lines): 7 feet. ... Required street side yard area: 7 feet. ... At intersections of streets, alleys, and dri...
Fence Permit Requirements
Rancho Cordova requires a zoning certification before installing a new fence or wall, though a residential fence up to seven feet tall is allowed by right without one. Anything over seven feet needs an administrative use permit, while retaining walls under 36 inches and code-compliant residential privacy fences under seven feet are exempt from certification, per RCMC §§ 23.731.020 and 23.731.030.
Rancho Cordova Fence Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsRancho Cordova Municipal Code (RCMC) § 23.731.020 (Permit Required); § 23.731.030 (Exemptions)
Unless otherwise exempt in RCMC § 23.731.030 (Exemptions), a zoning certification shall be required for new fences and walls. Residential fences, up to seven feet in height, are allowed by right. Fences over seven feet in height require an administrative use permit. ... The following fences and walls shall be exempt from RCMC § 23.731.020; however, a building permit may be required: A. Retainin...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Under California Civil Code Section 841, the Good Neighbor Fence Act of 2013, boundary fences between adjoining residential properties are presumed to benefit both owners equally and costs are shared. Written 30-day notice is required before construction or replacement.
Fences: Neighbor Rules
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 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
A Rancho Cordova retaining wall under 36 inches skips the zoning certification required for fences and walls under RCMC § 23.731.030(A). Taller retained embankments must be benched under § 23.731.080(B) so no single wall face exceeds 36 inches, wood cannot be used above two feet, and the planning director can approve a retaining wall up to eight feet to handle steep topography.
Rancho Cordova Retaining Wall Height Rules
Some RestrictionsRancho Cordova Municipal Code (RCMC) § 23.731.030(A) (Exemptions – Retaining Walls); § 23.731.080(B) (Retaining Walls)
The following fences and walls shall be exempt from RCMC § 23.731.020; however, a building permit may be required. A. Retaining Walls. Retaining walls less than 36 inches in height. ... Retaining Walls. ... An embankment to be retained that is over 48 inches in height shall be benched so at the low side no individual retaining wall exceeds a height of 36 inches above the finished grade and each...
Material Restrictions
Rancho Cordova's nuisance code bans chain-link, barbed wire, electrified, razor, and concertina wire on residential fences and walls unless the city approves an exception for security needs or state or federal law requires it. Residential fences must be built from redwood, cedar, pine, Douglas fir, vinyl, wrought iron, or another material the planning director approves. Violations are treated as a public nuisance under RCMC § 16.18.1703(Q).
Rancho Cordova Bans Barbed Wire, Electric Fences
Significant RestrictionsRCMC § 16.18.1703(Q) (Standards for Residential Property - Prohibited Fencing Materials)
Q. The installment of a chain-link, barbed wire or electrified fence, razor, or concertina wire in conjunction with a fence or wall, unless approved pursuant to Chapter 23.125 RCMC for security needs or as required by city, state or federal regulation. Fences shall be constructed with redwood, cedar, pine, Douglas fir, vinyl, wrought iron, or any other fencing material approved by the planning ...
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