Permit Requirements: Santa Rosa vs Sonoma

Do I need a permit for a fence in Santa Rosa?

Standard fences within height limits usually do not need a permit. Fences over 6 feet, retaining walls over 4 feet, and masonry walls require permits.

What is a Minor Use Permit for fences?

A Minor Use Permit allows fence heights above standard limits, up to 8 feet. Apply through the Planning Division.

Do I need a permit to build a fence in unincorporated Sonoma County?

Usually no. Under Permit Sonoma form PJR-133 'Fence Guidelines' and the underlying Sonoma County Code Sec. 26-88-030 and California Building Code Sec. R105.2, a residential fence does not require a building or zoning permit if (1) it complies with the height limits of Sec. 26-88-030 (3 feet in front-yard setbacks and within 15 feet of street corners, 6 feet in side and rear yard setbacks in residential and K zones; no limit in agricultural, commercial, or industrial zones), (2) it is not solid construction over 7 feet (wood, concrete, metal, or masonry), (3) it is no more than 10 feet in any material, (4) it is at least 6 inches outside any public right-of-way or recorded easement, and (5) it is not in a Scenic Resources (SR), Visitor Open Highway (VOH), Coastal (CC), or similar combining district. Permits become required when you exceed any of those thresholds: a building permit under Chapter 7 for tall solid fences, a Minor Use Permit under Sec. 26-92 to exceed setback height limits, Administrative Design Review for solid 3-6 foot fences in front yards and any fences in SR/VOH districts, a Coastal Development Permit in the Coastal Zone, or an encroachment permit if the fence is in a county road right-of-way.

What kind of permit do I need for a tall privacy fence above the standard limits?

It depends on where it is and what it's made of. A solid privacy fence over 7 feet (wood, masonry, concrete, or metal) or any fence over 10 feet requires a building permit under California Building Code Sec. R105.2 as adopted in Chapter 7 of the Sonoma County Code. If the fence exceeds the height limits in Sec. 26-88-030 within a required setback - for example, a 7- or 8-foot solid privacy fence in a residential side or front yard setback - you also need a Minor Use Permit through Permit Sonoma Planning under Sec. 26-92 (or a fence-height exception). A solid fence 3-6 feet tall in a residential front-yard setback typically requires Administrative Design Review. If your parcel is in a Scenic Resources (SR) combining district along scenic corridors like Highway 1, Highway 12, or the Russian River, all fences require Administrative Design Review and the Design Review Committee may need to approve non-standard heights or materials. Coastal Zone (CC suffix) parcels require Chapter 26C review and possibly a Coastal Development Permit. Apply through Permit Sonoma at 2550 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa, or use the online permit-application portal.

Does my Coastal Zone or Russian River property need special fence approval?

Likely yes. Properties along the Pacific coast (Bodega Bay, Jenner, Sea Ranch, Russian River mouth, Goat Rock) carry the CC suffix and are governed by Chapter 26C of the Sonoma County Code, the County's certified Local Coastal Program, and the California Coastal Act. Fences in shoreline areas, within public-access easement corridors (Coastal Commission and County lateral and vertical access easements), or in designated environmentally sensitive habitat areas (ESHA) typically require a Coastal Development Permit issued by Permit Sonoma's Planning Division. In Coastal Commission appealable jurisdictions, the Commission itself may review the permit. The Russian River corridor through Guerneville, Forestville, Monte Rio, and Duncans Mills is also covered by the Russian River Recreation and Visitor-Serving combining district and Scenic Resources combining district, both of which add visual-resource standards on fence height, materials, and color. Contact Permit Sonoma Planning at (707) 565-1900 before installing any fence in these areas - unpermitted fences in the Coastal Zone can trigger Coastal Commission enforcement with penalties up to $15,000 per violation per day under PRC Sec. 30821.