4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Napa County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In AP, AW, RS, RM and PD zones, solid fences may be up to 4 ft in the front yard setback and up to 6 ft in side and rear yard setbacks, with see-through fencing allowed taller. Fences over 6 ft in side or rear setbacks must be see-through above 6 ft unless a fence permit is granted.
Napa County Code section 18.104.270(A), (E)
18.104.270 - Fences. A. Fence height standards for all districts, except as specified in subsections (C) and (D) below, are as follows: 1. Fences up to a height of four feet are permitted in the designated front yard setback, except that see-through deer fencing up to eight feet is permitted to support agricultural uses. Fences up to eight feet in height are permitted in side and rear yard setb...
A Special Fence Permit from the PBES Director is required when a proposed fence does not meet the height/location rules in section 18.104.270 or when a permitted fence will sit inside the road setback. Any fence over 7 feet may also need a separate building permit, and electric gates always require a building permit.
Napa County Fence and Entry Structure Brochure (excerpting NCC 18.104.270(A)(2), 18.126.060(C))
DO I NEED A SPECIAL FENCE PERMIT? NO, if the proposed fence meets the fence regulations regarding design, height and location. However, please check with the Building Division to see if a building permit will be required. YES, if the design of the fence does not comply with the designated fence regulations or if it will be located within the road setback & requires a building permit, you will n...
Napa County does not adopt a separate boundary-fence rule, so California Civil Code 841 controls: adjoining landowners share equally in maintaining the boundary and any benefit-conferring fence, and an owner who wants to build, replace or repair must give the neighbor at least 30 days' prior written notice with details and a cost estimate.
California Civil Code section 841
(a) Adjoining landowners shall share equally in the responsibility for maintaining the boundaries and monuments between them. (b)(1) Adjoining landowners are presumed to share an equal benefit from any fence dividing their properties and, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties in a written agreement, shall be presumed to be equally responsible for the reasonable costs of construction, mainte...
Napa County defines a fence broadly to allow wood, wire, stone, concrete, glass block or other construction, but in residential and agricultural zones any portion above 6 ft in side or rear yard setbacks must be see-through (deer wire, lattice or chain link). Commercial and industrial fencing must be approved by use permit or site plan, except for agricultural uses.
Napa County Code sections 18.08.297 and 18.104.270(C), (D)
18.08.297 - Fence. 'Fence' means a continuous structural barrier at least ten feet in length generally parallel to the perimeter of a property boundary or use area. Fences may be solid, transparent, or both (e.g., slatted) and of wood, wire, stone, concrete, glass block, or other construction. Fences include 'walls,' as commonly defined, but do not include 'entry structures' as defined by this ...
1 cities in Napa County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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