Height Limits: Tulare vs Visalia
How do height limits rules compare between Tulare, CA and Visalia, CA?
Tulare and Visalia have similar restriction levels.
Tulare, CA
Tulare County
Tulare Municipal Code § 10.16.160 caps fences at 4 feet in the required front yard (and street-side yard of corner lots) and 7 feet in side/rear yards. Walls taller than 7 feet require Planning Commission approval, typically only granted to mitigate noise impacts identified in the Tulare General Plan.
View full Tulare rules →Visalia, CA
Tulare County
Visalia limits front yard fences to 3.5 feet and side/rear yard fences to 6 feet in residential zones. Corner lots have additional visibility requirements.
View full Visalia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Tulare | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Front yard max | 4 ft (top 1 ft see-through) | - |
| Side/rear max | 7 ft | - |
| Arterial/collector walls | 6–7 ft required | - |
| Over 7 ft | Planning Commission approval + building permit | - |
| Code section | Tulare Municipal Code § 10.16.160 | - |
| Front Yard Max | - | 3.5 feet |
| Side/Rear Max | - | 6 feet |
| Corner Lots | - | Visibility rules |
| Variance | - | Planning Commission |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Tulare FAQ
Can I build a 6-foot fence in my backyard without a permit?
Yes — a 6-foot wood or chain-link rear-yard fence is under the 7-foot cap and under the permit threshold. Masonry fences over 3 feet, however, require engineered footings and a building permit.
Why does the front-yard fence have to be partly see-through?
Tulare Municipal Code § 10.16.160 requires the top 1 foot of any front-yard fence to be see-through material (such as wrought iron) so the cap functions as 4 feet of solid screening, preserving sightlines from the street.
Visalia FAQ
How tall can my fence be in Visalia?
Front yard fences are limited to 3.5 feet. Side and rear yard fences may be up to 6 feet.
Can I get a variance for a taller fence in Visalia?
Yes. Apply for a variance through the Planning Commission if you need a fence above the maximum height.
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