Alpine County, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Requirements (2026)

Because Alpine County has no incorporated cities, county zoning under Title 18 governs fences countywide. The core fence requirements come from Chapter 18.68 (General Requirements and Exceptions): in the RE and RN residential zones, fences may not exceed six feet in side and rear yards or four and one-half feet in front yards. On corner lots, no structure, plant, or other physical matter that may obstruct clear view of vehicle, equestrian, or pedestrian traffic may be placed within the street-corner sight-distance area unless a variance is first obtained, and this rule overrides the ordinary yard allowances. Fences must be placed on the owner's own property; where a boundary line is uncertain, a survey is advisable. Practical requirements layered on top include a county building permit for fences over six feet, an Encroachment Permit for any fence work in the County road right-of-way, and compliance with any recorded CC&Rs in subdivisions. In the Markleeville Historic District, design review under Chapter 18.56 and the Markleeville Design Guidelines may affect fence appearance and materials. Different requirements can apply in agricultural, commercial, and special-area zones (Bear Valley, Kirkwood), so verify your parcel's zoning before building.