8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Ventura County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Ventura County, a solid fence up to 7 feet tall is generally allowed, but no solid fence over 3 feet may stand in a required setback adjacent to a street or in a clear sight triangle. A see-through fence up to 5 feet is permitted in front setbacks.
Most residential fences in unincorporated Ventura County do not need a zoning permit if they meet height limits. A Zoning Clearance is required only for fences over 7 feet, electrified fences, fences with electricity, and retaining walls over 3 feet. Building permits may also apply.
Ventura County's zoning ordinance does not assign cost responsibility between neighbors. That is governed by California's Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code 841), which presumes adjoining owners share fence costs equally and requires 30 days' written notice before incurring expense.
California Civil Code § 841 (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, maint...
Structural retaining walls in unincorporated Ventura County have no height limit except within driveway sight triangles, where they cannot exceed 3 feet. A retaining wall over 3 feet, or one supporting a surcharge, requires a Zoning Clearance, and a fence on top is capped at 10 feet combined.
Pool barriers in unincorporated Ventura County must meet CA Title 24 Chapter 31 and HSC 115920-115929. Fences at least 5 feet high, non-climbable, with self-closing/self-latching gates. Latch must be 54+ inches above grade on the pool side.
Ventura County Pool Safety Certificate (Form B59, Rev. 2/10/2023); County of Ventura Building Code, VCBC 3109.3
Approved perimeter barriers (property line walls/fences) must be a minimum 48 inches in height when measured from grade on the side opposite to the constructed pool. Gates shall swing outward, away from the pool and be self-latching/self-closing with the latch located on the pool side of the barrier. Barriers shall isolate the pool from adjacent properties and from the public way. DEFINITIONS: ...
Beyond height, Ventura County's ordinance regulates fence placement near streets and driveways, vehicle gate setbacks, clear sight triangles, and how fence height is measured. Vehicle access gates must sit at least 20 feet back from the front or street-side property line.
Barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified security fencing are generally prohibited in urban residential and commercial zones, and in adjacent industrial zones, under Ventura County's ordinance. Limited exceptions allow electrified security fencing at certain commercial outdoor storage uses.
Ventura County's ordinance distinguishes solid from see-through fencing, allowing taller see-through fences in setbacks. Barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified security fencing are restricted near residential and commercial areas. Common solid materials like wood, vinyl, and masonry are allowed within height limits.
10 cities in Ventura County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
6 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
6 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
6 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
8 verified rules • Fence Requirements, Height Limits
7 verified rules • Fence Requirements, Height Limits
6 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
6 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
6 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
6 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
6 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
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