Napa County, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard solid fence max
- 4 ft
- Side/rear yard fence max
- 8 ft (see-through above 6 ft)
- Outside road & yard setbacks
- Up to 12 ft (see-through)
- Height measurement
- From natural grade prior to construction
- Code section
- Napa County Code 18.104.270
Summary
In AP, AW, RS, RM and PD zones, solid fences may be up to 4 ft in the front yard setback and up to 6 ft in side and rear yard setbacks, with see-through fencing allowed taller. Fences over 6 ft in side or rear setbacks must be see-through above 6 ft unless a fence permit is granted.
18.104.270 - Fences. A. Fence height standards for all districts, except as specified in subsections (C) and (D) below, are as follows: 1. Fences up to a height of four feet are permitted in the designated front yard setback, except that see-through deer fencing up to eight feet is permitted to support agricultural uses. Fences up to eight feet in height are permitted in side and rear yard setbacks. Fences that exceed a height of six feet in a side or rear yard setback area shall be see-through in nature (e.g., deer or other wire fencing, lattice, or chain link) above the six foot level, unless a fence use permit is granted pursuant to subsection (A)(2) below. 2. A fence permit consistent with the requirements of subsection (C) of Section 18.126.060 may be granted by the director to modify the requirements of this section of the ordinance, provided that a need can be demonstrated, due to the unique nature of the parcel or surrounding environment, for the proposed fence design. 3. See-through fences outside of the combined road and yard setbacks may be up to twelve feet in height (this sub-section is to provide for agricultural fences, and special purpose uses, such as, but not limited to, tennis courts). E. For the purposes of this section, fence heights shall be measured from natural grade that exists prior to fence construction.
Full Breakdown
270(A) sets height standards for the AP (Agricultural Preserve), AW (Agricultural Watershed), RS (Residential Single-Family), RM (Residential Multi-Family) and PD (Planned Development) districts. Fences up to 4 ft are permitted in the designated front-yard setback (see-through deer fencing up to 8 ft is allowed for agricultural uses). , deer wire, lattice, chain link) unless a fence permit under subsection (A)(2) is obtained. Outside the combined road and yard setbacks, see-through fences may be up to 12 ft, intended to support agricultural fences and special uses such as tennis courts.
Fence heights are measured from natural grade existing prior to construction (subsection E); where a fence sits on a retaining wall, the height is measured from the bottom of the retaining wall footing to the top of the fence (per the County's Fence and Entry Structure brochure).
Violations & Fines
Fences that exceed code height without a granted fence permit are a Zoning Code violation enforced by Napa County Code Compliance (PBES). Code Compliance accepts complaints by online form, phone (707-253-4417) or in person; complaints with imminent public-safety threats are referred immediately, and others are prioritized by severity. Resolution typically requires lowering or removing the non-conforming portion or obtaining an after-the-fact fence permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a solid 6-ft fence along my front property line?
How is fence height measured if my yard slopes?
Can I exceed the standard heights?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Napa County
How Napa County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Napa County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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