Nevada County, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code section
- Sec. 12.04.106 Fencing and Hedges
- Residential front/street side
- 4 ft open fence/hedge, 3 ft solid
- Residential rear/interior side
- 6 ft open and 6 ft solid
- Rural front (solid)
- 3 ft solid (open fencing: no limit)
- How measured
- Base at finished grade to highest point
- Combined materials
- Most restrictive standard applies
Summary
In unincorporated Nevada County, California, Section 12.04.106 of the County Code (formerly Land Use & Development Code) sets fence and hedge heights by yard and zone. In residential districts, front and street-side fencing is limited to 4 feet (open) or 3 feet (solid); rear and interior side fencing may reach 6 feet.
Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to protect the visual quality and to minimize sight distance impairment on roadways by establishing height limits for fencing and hedges located within yard setbacks. HEIGHT MEASUREMENT: Fencing shall be measured from the base at finished grade to the highest point. Hedges shall be measured from their base at finished grade to their highest point. [Height Limits within Setback Area:] Residential - Front and street side: Open Fence & Hedge 4', Solid Fence 3'. Residential - Rear and interior side: Open 6', Solid 6'. Rural - Front and street side: Open no limit, Solid 3'. Rural - Rear and interior side: Open no limit, Solid 6'. All Others - Front and street side: Open 4', Solid 3'. All Others - Rear and interior side: Open 6', Solid 6'. D. Height Exceptions. Table standards may be exceeded as follows: 1. If submitted as part of the review of a discretionary land use permit, the Planning Agency may allow an increased height for project that requires a higher fence, hedge, or wall for Security, visual, or noise attenuation purposes. 2. Subject to the granting of a Use Permit, fencing may exceed the height maximums established by this Chapter if findings can be made that such an exception is needed for protection of the public health and safety or to shield unsightly areas or uses.
Full Breakdown
Nevada County's fencing standards live in Sec. 106 (Fencing and Hedges) of the County Code, and they vary by zoning district and yard. In Residential districts, fences and hedges in the front and street-side yard are limited to 4 feet for open fencing/hedges and 3 feet for solid fencing; in the rear and interior side yard, both open and solid fencing may reach 6 feet. In Rural districts, front and street-side open fencing has 'no limit' while solid fencing is capped at 3 feet, and rear/interior-side open fencing has no limit with solid fencing capped at 6 feet.
The 'All Others' district category uses the same numbers as Residential (4/3 front, 6/6 rear). The county measures fence height from the base at finished grade to the highest point. 'Solid fencing' is defined as fencing that impairs through vision and conflicts with vehicle sight distance, and walls of concrete, stone, brick, or tile are treated as fencing. Where solid and open materials are combined, the most restrictive standard applies. For through parcels where the rear yard faces a street, the rear must meet front-yard standards. Heights may be increased only through a discretionary land use permit or a Use Permit when findings support it.
Violations & Fines
Building a fence or growing a hedge taller than the Sec. 12.04.106 limit for your yard and zoning district, or a solid fence that blocks vehicle sight distance, can trigger a code-enforcement notice from the Community Development Agency, fines, and an order to lower or remove the fence. The county lists fencing and hedge height as a common violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my fence be in unincorporated Nevada County, CA?
Does a corner lot or street-side yard have stricter limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nevada County
How Nevada County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Nevada County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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