Fence Requirements: Moorpark vs Ventura

How tall can my fence be in Ventura, CA?

Under City of Ventura Title 24 Zoning Regulations, fences over 3 feet tall are not allowed in the required front-yard setback or within the corner clear-sight triangle. Outside those areas, a residential fence may reach 6 feet without a building permit. In coastal frontages, SBMC Section 24.305.030 caps a front-yard fence at 3 feet 6 inches measured from the adjacent sidewalk, and bungalow-court frontages (Section 24.595.270) allow up to 4 feet.

What fence materials are not allowed in front yards?

SBMC Section 24.305.030 prohibits chain link, barbed wire, razor wire, and corrugated metal fencing in front-yard frontages. The City's Front Fences handout encourages wood, wrought iron, or masonry; wrought iron should be at least 5/8-inch vertical pickets at 4 to 6 inch spacing, and wood fences in some frontages must be at least 30 percent open.

Do I need a building permit to put up a fence in Ventura?

Per the City of Ventura Block Wall/Fence Submittal Requirements (BS 322), a building permit is required for any fence or wall over 6 feet in height and for most masonry walls. Shorter wood fences typically do not need a building permit, but they must still meet the Title 24 setback, height, and material rules and the Public Works sight-distance brochure for corner lots.