Height Limits: Lodi vs Stockton
How do height limits rules compare between Lodi, CA and Stockton, CA?
Lodi and Stockton have similar restriction levels.
Lodi, CA
San Joaquin County
Lodi Municipal Code §17.14.100 caps fences at 7 feet along residential side and rear property lines and 4 feet within required front yards. Phase 2 of the Incremental Code Update (adopted March 5, 2025) raised the rear/side limit from 6 to 7 feet and eliminated discretionary review in that range.
View full Lodi rules →Stockton, CA
San Joaquin County
Stockton regulates fence heights through the Title 16 Development Code (Chapter 16.40, Standards for Specific Land Uses). Typical California Central Valley residential standards limit front-yard fences to about 3-4 feet and side/rear-yard fences to 6-7 feet; corner-lot sight-visibility triangles are restricted. Confirm exact figures with Stockton Planning before construction.
View full Stockton rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lodi | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Code section | LMC §17.14.100 | - |
| Side/rear max | 7 ft (raised from 6 ft in 2025) | - |
| Front yard max | 4 ft | - |
| Permit required | Yes if over 7 ft (LMC Title 15) | - |
| Code title | - | Stockton Municipal Code Title 16 (Development Code) |
| Permit threshold | - | Fences over 7 ft require a building permit (CBC §105.2) |
| Spite fence threshold | - | 10 ft (Cal. Civ. Code §841.4) |
| Sight visibility | - | Corner-lot triangles restrict obstructions |
| Planning Division | - | planning@stocktonca.gov / (209) 937-8266 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lodi FAQ
Can I build a 7-foot fence in my Lodi back yard without a permit?
Yes. After the March 2025 amendments to LMC §17.14.100, residential side and rear yard fences up to 7 feet no longer require discretionary planning review. Anything above 7 feet still needs a building permit.
What is the front yard fence limit?
4 feet within the required front yard setback under LMC §17.14.100. Solid fences taller than 4 feet in front yards are not permitted by right.
Stockton FAQ
How tall can my front-yard fence be in Stockton?
Stockton's Development Code (Title 16) sets front-yard fence heights typically in the 3-4 foot range for residential zones, with side- and rear-yard fences allowed up to about 6-7 feet. The exact figure depends on your zoning district — confirm with Planning at (209) 937-8266 before building.
Do I need a permit for a 6-foot wood fence?
Under California Building Code §105.2, fences not over 7 feet high are exempt from a building permit. However, zoning compliance under Stockton Title 16 is still required, and HOA rules may apply. Fences in front-yard setbacks or sight-visibility triangles may face stricter height limits regardless of permit status.
Can my neighbor build a 12-foot fence to annoy me?
No. California Civil Code §841.4 makes any fence over 10 feet maliciously erected or maintained to annoy a neighbor a private nuisance (spite fence), and the affected neighbor can sue for abatement and damages.
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