Fence Regulations in Riverside County, CA (2026)

4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Riverside County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Riverside County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Height Limits

Riverside County prohibits building fences out of garage doors, tires, pallets, or similar salvaged materials anywhere in the unincorporated county, a standard adopted to protect community appearance and property values.

Riverside County Bans Improvised Fence Materials

Some Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 17.172.205

A. Intent. The board of supervisors has enacted the following provision to provide minimum development standards for the construction of fences within the unincorporated areas of the county... B. Prohibited Fences. Fences shall not be constructed of garage doors, tires, pallets or other materials not typically used for the construction of fences.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Neighbor Fence Rules

Riverside County's zoning ordinance does not govern cost-sharing for boundary fences. California Civil Code Section 841 (the Good Neighbor Fence Act) controls: adjoining landowners are presumed equally responsible for a shared boundary fence, and a 30-day written notice is required before incurring shared costs.

Riverside County Shared Fence Neighbor Rules

Few Restrictions

California Civil Code Section 841 (Chapter 2. Obligations of Owners - Good Neighbor Fence Act)

(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...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls up to 4 feet, measured footing to top, don't need a building permit in unincorporated Riverside County. Taller walls, or any wall holding back a surcharge or hazardous liquids, require one from Building and Safety before work starts.

Riverside County Retaining Wall Permit Rule

Some Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 15.04.050

105.2 Work exempt from permit... Permits shall not be required for the following: Building: ... 4. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Material Restrictions

Riverside County's zoning code bans building fences out of garage doors, tires, wood pallets, or similar scrap materials anywhere in the unincorporated county.

Riverside County Bans Junk-Material Fences

Some Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 17.172.205(B)

B. Prohibited Fences. Fences shall not be constructed of garage doors, tires, pallets or other materials not typically used for the construction of fences.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗