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

Fence requirements for unincorporated Lake County come from Article 42 of the County of Lake Zoning Ordinance and the Community Development Department's fence guidance. Key requirements: fences, walls and hedges may not exceed four (4) feet in a required front yard (interior lot) or six (6) feet in a required side or rear yard without a minor use permit (Secs. 42.11(a) and (b)). On a corner lot, the portion of a front-yard fence exceeding three feet that is within fifty (50) feet of the corner property line must be wire mesh, chain link or other see-through material so it does not obstruct driver sight distance. When a minor use permit is sought for a 4-to-6-foot front-yard fence, the Review Authority must find that approval will not obstruct sight distance or create a traffic-safety hazard and that the design provides one off-street parking space in tandem to any gated vehicle entrance (Sec. 42.11(a)(1)-(2)). Fences must also respect official setback lines from state highways and county roads (Sec. 42.20 et seq.), although wire and largely transparent fences, and solid fences under three feet, are exempt from those official setback lines (Sec. 42.22(e)). The County does not survey property lines, so the owner is responsible for locating them, and fences in easements may have to be removed for utility or road work. Requirements differ in agricultural, commercial and manufacturing zones.