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

Alpine County is governed entirely by county zoning because there are no incorporated cities; Markleeville is the county seat and the entire county is unincorporated. Fence heights are set by Title 18 of the Alpine County Code. Chapter 18.68 (General Requirements and Exceptions) provides that in the RE (Residential Estate, Ch. 18.32) and RN (Residential Neighborhood, Ch. 18.36) zones, fences in side and rear yards may not exceed six feet in height and may not exceed four and one-half feet in front yards. Front-yard fences are kept lower to preserve visibility and the open character of residential frontages. Separately, Chapter 18.68 limits anything within the sight-distance area of a street corner lot: no temporary or permanent structure, plant, or other physical matter that may obstruct clear view of vehicle, equestrian, or pedestrian traffic may be placed there unless a variance is first obtained, and no listed yard requirement supersedes this rule. Other zones (agricultural, commercial, industrial) and the Markleeville Historic District and Bear Valley may apply different standards, so confirm your parcel's zoning with the Planning Division. Where the county sets no height rule, the California Building Code permit threshold (fences over seven feet) and Civil Code fence law apply.