8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Bernardino County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated San Bernardino County, Development Code Chapter 83.06 caps fences, hedges, and walls within required setbacks. Residential and other districts allow 4 ft in front and street-side setbacks and 6 ft in interior side and rear setbacks (Table 83-6). RC and RL districts allow open fences up to 5 ft in front and street-side setbacks.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County requires a building permit for fences and block walls over 7 ft in height, and for retaining walls over 4 ft (measured from bottom of footing) or any retaining wall supporting a surcharge. Permits are issued by Land Use Services Building and Safety through the EZ Online Permitting (EZOP) portal.
The San Bernardino County Development Code sets fence height, materials, and placement, but does not allocate the cost of a shared boundary fence between neighbors. Cost-sharing for division fences is governed by California's Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code Section 841), which presumes adjoining owners share construction and maintenance costs equally after 30 days' written notice.
Cal. Civil Code Sec. 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act — Shared Boundary Fence Costs)
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, ...
In unincorporated San Bernardino County, retaining walls over 4 ft (measured from the bottom of the footing) or any retaining wall supporting a surcharge require a building permit. Within required setbacks, the Development Code (Section 83.02.070) exempts retaining walls under 3 ft above finished grade, allowing up to four such walls in a setback.
San Bernardino County enforces CA Health and Safety Code 115920 requiring a 60-inch barrier around residential pools. At least two of seven approved drowning prevention features are required.
Beyond height limits, the San Bernardino County Development Code requires solid masonry walls between certain zoning districts, decorative walls along rights-of-way, and Building Code-compliant fencing around swimming pools and spas. Industrial uses abutting non-industrial districts must build a solid masonry wall at least 6 ft tall (Section 83.06.050).
Section 83.06.070 of the County Development Code prohibits certain fence materials in the unincorporated area. Tarp fencing is banned in all zoning districts. Chain link is restricted in residential Valley Region zones, barbed/razor wire is restricted in residential and certain commercial/industrial areas, and electrified fencing along property lines is generally prohibited.
The County Development Code dictates both permitted and prohibited fence materials in the unincorporated area. Required separation and right-of-way walls must be solid masonry of decorative design, while Section 83.06.070 bans tarp fencing countywide and restricts chain link, barbed/razor wire, and electrified fencing by region and district.
8 cities in San Bernardino County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
7 verified rules • Fence Requirements, Height Limits
7 verified rules • Fence Requirements, Height Limits
7 verified rules • Fence Requirements, Height Limits
8 verified rules • Fence Requirements, Height Limits
7 verified rules • Fence Requirements, Height Limits
7 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
5 verified rules • Height Limits, Approved Materials
5 verified rules • Height Limits, Approved Materials
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