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Solano County, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Key Facts

Zoning Section
Solano County Code 28.93.A.3
Rear/Side (behind building line)
7 feet max (R districts)
Street-facing (front)
3 feet, unless open for visibility
Building Permit
Required only if over 6 feet high
Applies To
Unincorporated Solano County only

Summary

In any residential (R) district of unincorporated Solano County, Section 28.93.A.3 limits fences behind the building line to 7 feet and fences between the building line and a street to 3 feet, unless the portion over 3 feet is open enough to permit adequate visibility.

City-specific rules exist: Vacaville, Vallejo, and Fairfield have their own height limits rules that differ from Solano County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

In any R District, no fence shall be erected, moved or altered, and no hedge shall be grown so that the portions behind the building line of the dwelling exceed seven feet in height, and the portions between the building line and any street line exceed three feet in height.

Source: Solano County Building & Safety Permit FAQView official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 1868, passed April 9, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Solano County regulates fence height through its Zoning Regulations (Chapter 28 of the County Code). 3 provides that no fence shall be erected, moved, or altered, and no hedge grown, so that the portions behind the building line of the dwelling exceed seven feet in height, and the portions between the building line and any street line exceed three feet in height. A fence between the building line and any street line may exceed three feet only if the portion exceeding three feet is open so that it permits adequate visibility.

These limits apply only to the unincorporated county; each incorporated city (Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, Suisun City, Benicia, Dixon, Rio Vista) sets its own fence heights within city limits. Separately, Solano County's Building & Safety Services exempts fences not over 6 feet high from a building permit, so a 7-foot fence behind the building line is permitted by zoning but may require a building permit. Agricultural and other non-residential zones are governed by the development standards for that district rather than the 7-foot/3-foot R-district rule.

Violations & Fines

Erecting a fence taller than the limits in Section 28.93.A.3, or a street-facing fence over three feet that is not open for visibility, is a zoning violation enforced by Solano County Code Compliance. Enforcement typically begins with a notice of violation and may escalate to administrative citations and required removal or modification of the non-compliant fence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can a fence be in unincorporated Solano County?
In a residential (R) district, Section 28.93.A.3 allows up to 7 feet behind the building line of the dwelling and 3 feet between the building line and any street, with taller front fences allowed only if the part above 3 feet is open enough to permit adequate visibility.
Do I need a permit for a fence?
Solano County Building & Safety Services exempts fences not over 6 feet high from a building permit. A fence over 6 feet (such as a 7-foot rear fence allowed by zoning) may require a building permit even though zoning permits the height.
Do these limits apply inside Fairfield or Vacaville?
No. The 7-foot/3-foot limits apply only in the unincorporated county. Each incorporated city sets its own fence height rules within its boundaries.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Solano County

All Solano County rules

How Solano County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Solano County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview

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Height Limits in Cities Across Solano County