Material Restrictions: Sutter vs Yuba City
How do material restrictions rules compare between Sutter, CA and Yuba City, CA?
Sutter and Yuba City have similar restriction levels.
Sutter, CA
Sutter County
Sutter County does not ban common fence materials outright, but the Zoning Code distinguishes open fences (chain link, tubular steel) from solid fences (wood, masonry, chain link with slats) and excludes chain link from the taller ornamental front fences allowed in the Estate Residential and Ranchette districts.
View full Sutter rules →Yuba City, CA
Sutter County
Sutter County does not ban common fence materials outright, but the Zoning Code distinguishes open fences (chain link, tubular steel) from solid fences (wood, masonry, chain link with slats) and excludes chain link from the taller ornamental front fences allowed in the Estate Residential and Ranchette districts.
View full Yuba City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Sutter | Yuba City |
|---|---|---|
| Open fence | Chain link, tubular steel (visibility) | Chain link, tubular steel (visibility) |
| Solid fence | Wood, masonry, chain link with slats | Wood, masonry, chain link with slats |
| ER/RAN tall front fences | No chain link allowed | No chain link allowed |
| Commercial screening | 6 ft solid fence required | 6 ft solid fence required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Sutter FAQ
Can I use chain link fencing in unincorporated Sutter County?
Yes, chain link is generally allowed and counts as an open fence under Section 1500-27-020. However, chain link is expressly excluded from the taller open ornamental fences permitted in Estate Residential (ER) and Ranchette (RAN) front setbacks, where only wrought iron or similar ornamental materials qualify.
Is barbed wire legal on rural Sutter County property?
The county zoning code does not prohibit barbed wire in agricultural areas, and California Food and Agricultural Code Section 17121 treats a three-strand barbed wire fence with posts no more than one rod apart as a lawful livestock fence.
What counts as a solid fence versus an open fence?
Section 1500-27-020 defines a solid fence as one designed to obstruct visibility (wood, masonry, or chain link with slats) and an open fence as one designed to allow visibility when standing perpendicular to it (chain link or tubular steel). Different height and location rules apply to each in the front setback.
Yuba City FAQ
Can I use chain link fencing in unincorporated Sutter County?
Yes, chain link is generally allowed and counts as an open fence under Section 1500-27-020. However, chain link is expressly excluded from the taller open ornamental fences permitted in Estate Residential (ER) and Ranchette (RAN) front setbacks, where only wrought iron or similar ornamental materials qualify.
Is barbed wire legal on rural Sutter County property?
The county zoning code does not prohibit barbed wire in agricultural areas, and California Food and Agricultural Code Section 17121 treats a three-strand barbed wire fence with posts no more than one rod apart as a lawful livestock fence.
What counts as a solid fence versus an open fence?
Section 1500-27-020 defines a solid fence as one designed to obstruct visibility (wood, masonry, or chain link with slats) and an open fence as one designed to allow visibility when standing perpendicular to it (chain link or tubular steel). Different height and location rules apply to each in the front setback.
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