Santa Cruz County, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code section
- SCCC 13.10.525
- Front yard / sight triangle
- 3 ft max
- Side/rear not abutting street
- Up to 8 ft
- Over 8 ft
- Administrative Site Development Permit
Summary
In unincorporated Santa Cruz County, SCCC 13.10.525 regulates fence and retaining-wall heights within required yards. The County's Planning publication allows fences up to 8 feet in side and rear yards not abutting a street and 3 feet in front yards without discretionary approval, measured from finished grade at the base.
Height is determined by measuring the exposed face of the fence or wall at its tallest point, from finished grade at the base, to the top of the fence or wall. Within sight distance triangles, the maximum structure height is three feet (see SCCC 13.16.093).
Full Breakdown
' Per the County Planning Department's 'Fences and Walls' publication, height is measured from the exposed face at its tallest point, from finished grade at the base to the top. Where a parcel slopes down from a right-of-way, height is measured from the curb or edge of shoulder nearest the fence. Front yards (and yards abutting a street) are generally limited to 3 feet, side or rear yards abutting a street to 6 feet (8 feet where set back at least 5 feet), and side or rear yards not abutting a street to 8 feet: all without discretionary approval.
Within a corner sight clearance triangle no fence may exceed 3 feet. Heights above these limits up to 8 feet require an over-height fence certification with a Minor Site Development Permit; over 8 feet requires an Administrative Site Development Permit. 070. Limits vary by zoning and by whether the parcel lies inside the Urban/Rural Services Line.
Violations & Fines
Fence-height violations are handled by the County's Planning and Code Compliance staff as zoning violations under SCCC Title 19. Property owners are typically notified and given an opportunity to lower the fence, obtain an over-height certification, or apply for the appropriate Site Development Permit. Confirm requirements with Planning.ZoningInfo@santacruzcountyca.gov before building, as the rules vary by zone, Services Line location, and sight-clearance triangles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall a fence can I build in my back yard in unincorporated Santa Cruz County?
How is fence height measured?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Cruz County
How Santa Cruz County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Cruz County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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