2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Napa County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Napa County, fences not exceeding 6 feet in height generally do not require a building permit under California Building Code Section 105.2 (Item 2), as adopted by Napa County Code Title 15. Fences over 6 feet (often over 7 feet, depending on which CBC edition the County has adopted) require a building permit. Zoning standards in Napa County Code Title 18 set additional limits: front-yard fences are typically capped at 3 to 4 feet, side and rear yard fences at 6 feet, with sight-distance triangles required at corners and driveways. California Civil Code Section 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) governs cost-sharing between adjoining residential owners.
Under California Building Code Section 105.2 (Item 2), as adopted by Napa County Code Title 15, fences not over 6 feet (or 7 feet, depending on the CBC edition currently adopted) do not require a building permit. Taller fences, masonry walls over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing, and any fence that retains earth (retaining wall) require a building permit from Napa County PBES. Even permit-exempt fences must comply with Title 18 zoning standards, sight-distance rules, and any homeowners-association CC&R restrictions.
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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