Fence Regulations in Sacramento County, CA (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 7 cities in Sacramento County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Height Limits

Front-yard fences in unincorporated Sacramento County top out at three to seven feet depending on style, while side-street and interior-yard fences are capped at seven feet under the zoning code.

Sacramento County Fence Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Sacramento County Zoning Code § 5.2.5.B.1.a, .B.3, .B.4 (Measuring Height — Front, Side Street, and Interior Yards)

Front Yards: Fences in the front yard setback area shall be limited to: Solid walls or fences...not exceeding three feet in height, Semi-open fencing...not exceeding four feet in height, or Open fencing constructed of wrought iron...not exceeding seven feet in height. Side Street Yards. Fences shall not exceed seven feet in height. Interior Yards in All Zones. Fences shall not exceed seven feet...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Fence Permit Requirements

In unincorporated Sacramento County, a single-family or duplex fence over seven feet tall needs an approved building permit and must sit three feet back from the interior property line. A tall fence directly on an interior line needs a Special Development Permit from the Zoning Administrator. Fences above the base limits in a front yard or on a side street yard need a Minor Special Development Permit.

Sacramento County Fence Permit Rules Over Seven Feet

Some Restrictions

Sacramento County Zoning Code § 5.2.5.C.6 (see also § 5.2.5.C.3, C.7)

Retaining wall and fence combinations that exceed seven feet in height may be permitted with the issuance of a Minor Special Development Permit. ... Fences over seven feet in height are permitted when setback three feet from an interior property line after first securing an approved building permit. Fences over seven feet in height may be permitted on interior property lines with a Special Deve...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Neighbor Fence Rules

Sacramento County's Zoning Code does not assign cost between neighbors. Shared boundary fences are governed by California's Good Neighbor Fence Law (Civil Code Section 841), which presumes adjoining owners share construction and maintenance costs equally and requires 30 days' written notice before incurring shared costs.

Sacramento County Neighbor & Shared Fence Rules

Some Restrictions

California Civil Code § 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, maint...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls combined with fences on side-street or interior lot lines in unincorporated Sacramento County are capped at four feet for the wall, and a Minor Use Permit is required once the combination tops seven feet.

Sacramento County Retaining Wall Fences

Some Restrictions

Sacramento County Zoning Code § 5.2.5.B.3, .B.4 (Side Street Yards; Interior Yards — Retaining Wall and Fence Combinations)

Side Street Yards." Fences shall not exceed seven feet in height. Retaining wall and fence combinations that exceed seven feet in height may be permitted with the issuance of a Minor [...] Interior Yards in All Zones." Fences shall not exceed seven feet, unless otherwise noted in Section 5.2.5.C.6., and may be located on a retaining wall not to exceed four feet in height.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Material Restrictions

Sacramento County Zoning Code § 5.2.5.A allows fences built of permanent material such as wood, chain link, stone, rock, concrete block, brick and decorative wrought iron, plus anything the Planning Director approves. Used items, thin plywood, particle board, paper, plastic tarp and cloth are prohibited in front yards, street side yards and along alleys. Barbed or concertina wire needs a Minor Special Development Permit in most zones.

Sacramento County Fence Material Restrictions

Significant Restrictions

Sacramento County Zoning Code § 5.2.5.A (General Standards)

Permitted Materials. A fence may be constructed of permanent material, such as wood, chain link, stone, rock, concrete block, masonry brick, brick, decorative wrought iron or other material approved by the Planning Director. Prohibited Materials. Fencing materials prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following. This Section shall only apply to fences located in the front yard, street...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗