Fences on unincorporated Monterey County land must comply with Title 21 (inland) or Title 20 (coastal): generally no taller than 6 ft unless the accessory-structure setback is met, no encroachment on utility or road easements, plus Design Approval in Design Control Districts and possibly a Coastal Development Permit in the Coastal Zone.
Putting up a fence in unincorporated Monterey County involves three checks. First, height: the County FAQ caps fences at six feet generally, with taller fences allowed only where they meet the setback for a non-habitable accessory structure. Second, placement: the height-and-setback-exception chapters (21.62 inland / 20.62 coastal) state that "structures, except utility poles, appurtenant utility equipment and fences shall not be located so as to encroach on any utility or road easement or right-of-way" — fences are exempted from the general structure-encroachment limit but still cannot block easements. Third, overlays: Design Control District parcels require a Design Approval application, high-archaeology zones may require an archaeological report, and Coastal Zone parcels may need a Coastal Development Permit. On the building side, no construction permit is needed for concrete/masonry fences up to 6 ft, wood/vinyl/metal up to 8 ft, or open metal up to 10 ft, though zoning approval may still be required. Because setbacks vary by zoning district, the County advises confirming requirements with HCD Planning before building.
Non-compliant fences (too tall for their setback, blocking an easement, or built without required Design Approval/permit) are enforced by HCD Code Compliance and may have to be modified or removed, with daily civil penalties for ongoing violations.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Salinas, CA
Salinas prohibits storing abandoned, inoperable, or unregistered vehicles on public streets or visible on private property. Vehicles may be tagged and towed ...
Salinas, CA
Salinas regulates electric vehicle charging infrastructure for residential and commercial properties. Building codes may require EV-ready parking in new cons...
Salinas, CA
Salinas regulates overnight parking on public streets. Many areas restrict parking between certain hours or require permits for overnight street parking.
Salinas, CA
Salinas restricts or prohibits intentional feeding of wildlife including deer, coyotes, and bears. Feeding wildlife creates public safety hazards and nuisanc...
Salinas, CA
Salinas restricts ownership of exotic and wild animals. Many species require special permits or are prohibited entirely for public safety.
Salinas, CA
Salinas may have wildfire hazard zones requiring defensible space around structures, fire-resistant building materials, and vegetation management.
See how Salinas'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.