Fences in unincorporated Sonoma County must meet zoning height limits by yard, sit at least 6 inches outside public rights-of-way and easements, and be measured from the lowest existing grade. No fencing is allowed in a designated floodway (F1), and riparian-corridor fences are limited to about 4 feet of wildlife-friendly open fencing.
Permit Sonoma's PJR-133 Fence Guidelines set the construction and placement requirements for fences in the unincorporated county. Fence height is measured from the lowest existing grade to the topmost point of the fence. Fences must be located at least 6 inches outside of public rights-of-way and easements. Within residential and K zoning districts, by-right maximum heights are 6 feet in the front/street-side yard setback and 8 feet in side and rear yard setbacks (with the upper portion open or lattice as applicable); outside required setbacks there is generally no county height limit. Special overlay and resource areas add restrictions: in a designated Floodway (F1) combining district, no fencing of any type is permitted because solid obstructions can divert floodwaters; within a Riparian Corridor (RC) setback, a fence may require a zoning permit and should be wildlife-friendly - generally open fencing no taller than four feet (4'). Fences in the Scenic Resources (SR) combining district require administrative design review. Building permits are required for solid fences over 7 feet and any fence over 10 feet. Agricultural fences in AR and RR districts have expanded exemptions under the 2025 ordinance. Because requirements turn on your zoning district and any combining-district overlays, verify your parcel's zoning with Permit Sonoma before building.
Placing a fence inside a floodway, encroaching on a public right-of-way or easement, exceeding height limits, or ignoring riparian-corridor and scenic-resource requirements can result in a code-enforcement notice, fines, and an order to remove or relocate the fence.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Petaluma, CA
Persistent dog barking in Petaluma is enforced under the noise ordinance and animal provisions as a disturbance; chronic barking that disturbs neighbors can ...
Petaluma, CA
Construction noise in Petaluma is limited to daytime hours under the noise ordinance — generally 7 a.m.–7 p.m. weekdays with more limited weekend hours and n...
Petaluma, CA
Petaluma Code Ch. 10.68 (Alcohol-Related Nuisance Ordinance) supplements general noise standards for parties involving alcohol. Property owners and hosts may...
Petaluma, CA
Leaf blowers and other power lawn equipment fall under Petaluma's general noise standards (IZO §21.040) and construction-hour standards. Use outside permitte...
Petaluma, CA
Driveway approaches in Petaluma require an encroachment permit and must meet city standards; vehicles generally must be parked on an approved paved surface, ...
Petaluma, CA
RV, trailer and boat storage on residential lots in Petaluma is regulated by zoning, which restricts placement (typically a paved area) and prohibits living ...
See how Petaluma's fence requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.