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

Because the entire County is unincorporated, fence height in Mariposa County is governed by the County's own rules rather than any city. The County Building Department, following the 2022 California Residential Building Code (Section R105), treats fences not over 7 feet high as exempt from a building permit; a fence taller than 7 feet requires a building permit. Outside of adopted Town Planning Areas, the Planning Department states it has no jurisdiction over the placement of a fence in the rural areas of the county, and that fence placement there is a civil matter between neighbors. The picture changes inside an adopted Town Planning Area like the Mariposa Town Planning Area. There, the existing zoning ordinance (Chapter 17.336) limits what can stand inside required setbacks: fences three feet or less are allowed within the front-yard setback, and fences six feet or less are allowed within the side-yard and rear-yard setbacks (Section 17.336.010.A). Fences within a Town Planning Area may also require Design Review for height, structure, and materials. Always confirm your parcel's zone and whether it falls within a Town Planning Area before building.