Fence Requirements: Simi Valley vs Ventura
How do fence requirements rules compare between Simi Valley, CA and Ventura, CA?
Simi Valley and Ventura have similar restriction levels.
Simi Valley, CA
Ventura County
Beyond height, Ventura County's ordinance regulates fence placement near streets and driveways, vehicle gate setbacks, clear sight triangles, and how fence height is measured. Vehicle access gates must sit at least 20 feet back from the front or street-side property line.
View full Simi Valley rules →Ventura, CA
Ventura County
City of Ventura zoning under Title 24 limits fences in the front-yard setback (and within sight triangles at street corners) to 3 feet, while a fence elsewhere on a residential lot may be up to 6 feet tall. In coastal frontages SBMC 24.305.030 caps front-yard fences at 3 feet 6 inches and bans chain link, barbed wire, razor wire, and corrugated metal.
View full Ventura rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Simi Valley | Ventura |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle gate setback from street | Minimum 20 feet | - |
| Minimum vehicle gate width | 15 feet (fire access) | - |
| Max height in clear sight triangle | 3 feet | - |
| Pilaster/column max height | 8 feet | - |
| Grade for measurement | Lowest level 5 ft from fence | - |
| Governing sections | NCZO 8106-8.1, 8106-8.4 | - |
| Authority | - | SBMC Title 24 (Zoning) |
| Front Yard Max Height | - | 3 ft (standard); 3 ft 6 in (coastal frontage) |
| Side/Rear Yard Max Height | - | 6 ft without building permit |
| Bungalow Court Front Fence | - | Up to 4 ft (SBMC 24.595.270) |
| Prohibited Materials (front) | - | Chain link, barbed wire, razor wire, corrugated metal |
| Sight Triangle | - | 20 ft corner clear-vision area |
| Permit Trigger | - | Walls/fences over 6 ft (BS 322) |
| Confirm With | - | Ventura Planning Division (805) 654-7869 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Simi Valley FAQ
How far back must my driveway gate be?
Vehicle access gates serving a single-family home or agricultural use must be at least 20 feet from the front or street-side property line, and swinging gates may not swing into that 20-foot setback (Section 8106-8.1.1(c)).
Can I put a tall fence at a corner?
No. Within a required clear sight triangle at an uncontrolled intersection, no structure or sight-obscuring fence, wall, or hedge over 3 feet is allowed, under Section 8106-8.4.
Ventura FAQ
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.
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