Fence Regulations in Thousand Oaks, CA (2026)
5 verified fence regulations for Thousand Oaks, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In Thousand Oaks, fences, walls, and hedges along side or rear property lines can be up to 6 feet tall, but anything in the front yard is capped at 3 feet unless it qualifies for a specific exception. Fences also can't come closer than 10 feet to the front lot line if they exceed the 3-foot front-yard limit.
Fences: Height Limits
Some RestrictionsThousand Oaks Municipal Code (TOMC) § 9-4.2509(i)(1) (Fences and Walls)
A fence, wall or hedge not to exceed six (6') feet in height may be located or maintained along the side or rear lot lines, but may not be located closer than ten (10') feet from the front lot line. A fence, wall or hedge may be placed in the front yard as allowed by the applicable zone if it does not have a height of more than three (3') feet, except as allowed along side lot lines as stated a...
Fence Permit Requirements
A fence up to 6 feet tall or a masonry block wall up to 3 feet tall needs no building permit in Thousand Oaks under TOMC § 8-4.09(b)(2). Taller fences and retaining walls over 4 feet require one, and the exemption never overrides zoning height or setback limits.
Thousand Oaks Fence Permit Exemption Rules
Some RestrictionsThousand Oaks Municipal Code (TOMC) § 8-4.09(a), (b)(2)-(3)
Required: Except as specified in this code, no building, structure or building service equipment regulated by this code shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, installed, improved, removed, converted or demolished unless a separate, appropriate application has been made and permit for each building, structure or building service equipment has first been obtained from ...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Thousand Oaks follows California Civil Code sections 841-845 for shared boundary fence responsibilities. Adjacent property owners share costs for reasonable boundary fence construction and maintenance. The city's development code addresses fence placement relative to property lines.
Thousand Oaks Neighbor Fence Rules
Few RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code § 841
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, ...
Retaining Walls
Thousand Oaks requires a building permit for most retaining walls under TOMC § 8-4.09. A wall stays permit-exempt only if it is 4 feet or less from footing bottom to top, doesn't extend a downslope yard, and keeps soil retention depth to 36 inches without a surcharge or 18 inches with one.
Thousand Oaks Retaining Wall Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsThousand Oaks Municipal Code (TOMC) § 8-4.09(b)(3) (Permits: Work Exempt From Permit - Retaining Walls)
Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, not extending a yard on a downslope and/or with a soils retention depth of: (i) Thirty-six (36") inches maximum above grade without a surcharge or (ii) Eighteen (18") inches maximum above grade with a surcharge or supporting a slope.
Material Restrictions
Thousand Oaks bans barbed wire, razor wire, and other sharp materials on residential fences and walls, and prohibits electrically charging any fence in the city except in narrow agricultural cases. Barbed wire is only allowed for approved agricultural, livestock, or oil/gas uses, and in commercial/industrial zones under strict placement conditions.
Fences: Material Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsThousand Oaks Municipal Code (TOMC) § 9-4.2509.2 (Electrical, Barbed Wire, Broken Glass, etc. in Fencing)
No fence installed or maintained in the City shall be charged with electricity for security or any other reasons except as provided in this section. ... No fence or wall shall include barbed wire, razor wire, or other types of sharp, pointed wire, metal or glass in any zone except as provided in this section. Barbed wire is authorized for oil and gas facilities as set forth in Section 9-4.2814,...
Looking for Ventura County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Thousand Oaks city rules.
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