8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in San Diego County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated San Diego County, Section 6708 of the County Zoning Ordinance limits solid fences and walls to 42 inches in the front or exterior side yard and 72 inches in the rear or interior side yard. Within the main building area, fences may reach the height allowed for the main building. Greater heights require an administrative permit or exception.
County of San Diego Planning & Development Services, Form PDS-070 Fences (Rev. 01/01/2023), Excerpts from County Zoning Ordinance Β§ 6708
EXCERPTS FROM ZONING ORDINANCE Β§ 6708 Fences and walls are permitted at the following locations provided they conform to the height limitations shown below: ο± Main building area: Permitted up to the maximum height applicable to the main building ο± Front or exterior side yard: Permitted up to a maximum height of 42 inches ο± Rear or interior side yard: Permitted up to a maximum height of 72 inche...
The County Building Division (handout PDS-070) requires a building permit for any fence except fences and freestanding masonry walls not exceeding 6 feet that comply with the Zoning Ordinance, and open fences up to 8 feet where the top two feet are angled barbed or razor wire. Fence construction also follows the adopted California Building Code.
San Diego County's Zoning Ordinance sets fence heights and locations but does not allocate cost between neighbors. Shared boundary ('good-neighbor') fences are governed by California Civil Code Section 841, which presumes adjoining landowners share equally in the reasonable cost of construction, maintenance, or replacement and requires 30 days' prior written notice before incurring shared costs.
California Civil Code Β§ 841(a)-(b)
(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...
In unincorporated San Diego County, a building permit is required for any retaining wall except those less than 3 feet in height and not supporting a surcharge, per County Building Division handout PDS-084. Wall height is measured from the top of the footing to the top of the wall, and retaining walls are regulated under the adopted California Building Code.
All swimming pools in unincorporated San Diego County must have safety barriers at least 60 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates per the California Building Code and Swimming Pool Safety Act. Gates must open away from the pool with latches at least 60 inches above ground.
California Health and Safety Code Β§ 115920 (short title β Swimming Pool Safety Act, HSC §§ 115920β115929)
California Code, HSC 115920. skip to content home accessibility FAQ feedback sitemap login x Quick Search: Bill Number Bill Keyword Home Bill Information California Law Publications Other Resources My Subscriptions My Favorites California Law >> >> Code Section Code Section Code: Select Code CONS BPC CIV CCP COM CORP EDC ELEC EVID FAM FIN FGC FAC GOV HNC HSC INS LAB MVC PEN PROB PCC PRC PUC RTC...
Fences in unincorporated San Diego County must meet Section 6708 zoning height and location limits and, where a permit applies, the construction standards in County handout PDS-070. Requirements cover footing depth, fire-resistive materials near buildings in WUI areas (Section 707A), and clearances for gates and fire access. Pool barriers and visibility rules add further requirements.
The County Zoning Ordinance lets property owners choose fence opacity but restricts barbed and razor wire. Under Section 6708, razor wire and angled barbed wire are permitted only as a security measure for high-value agricultural, commercial, or industrial uses. In Wildland-Urban Interface areas, fence portions within 5 feet of a building must be non-combustible (Section 707A).
San Diego County does not mandate a particular fence material; owners choose opacity, and wood, chain-link, and masonry are all addressed in County handout PDS-070 with prescriptive footing and reinforcing standards. Material rules focus on fire safety - non-combustible fencing within 5 feet of a building in Wildland-Urban Interface areas (Section 707A) - and security-wire limits in Section 6708.
10 cities in San Diego County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
6 verified rules β’ Height Limits, Material Restrictions
6 verified rules β’ Height Limits, Material Restrictions
6 verified rules β’ Height Limits, Material Restrictions
6 verified rules β’ Height Limits, Material Restrictions
7 verified rules β’ Fence Requirements, Height Limits
6 verified rules β’ Height Limits, Material Restrictions
6 verified rules β’ Height Limits, Material Restrictions
5 verified rules β’ Height Limits, Neighbor Fence Rules
7 verified rules β’ Fence Requirements, Height Limits
7 verified rules β’ Fence Requirements, Height Limits
See every category we cover for San Diego County β parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
San Diego County Ordinance Hub β