Madera County, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height
- 3 ft in vision triangle
- Applies at
- Street/driveway intersections
- Exempt
- Open see-through fences
- Elsewhere on lot
- No county-wide fence cap
Summary
In unincorporated Madera County, fences, walls and hedges at street and driveway intersections can't exceed three feet within the vision setback triangle, protecting sightlines for drivers.
In the vision setback area, no disabled motor vehicle shall remain more than twenty-four hours and no structure of any kind shall be permitted which exceeds a height of three feet above the elevation of the center point of the intersection, except for necessary highway and traffic signs, public utility lines, and open fences through which there is clear vision, nor shall any plant material be permitted which obscures safe vision of the approaches to the intersection.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
Madera County Code § 18.98.050 bars any structure, including fences, walls, hedges and dense plantings, from exceeding three feet in height within the vision setback area at intersections, measured from the center point of the intersection. Open fences that allow a clear line of sight, plus necessary highway signs and utility lines, are exempt. The vision setback triangles themselves are established by § 18.98.040, sized according to the type and width of the intersecting streets or railroad. The code sets no separate general height cap for fences elsewhere on a residential lot; only this corner-visibility rule applies countywide.
Violations & Fines
Erecting a solid fence, wall, hedge or sign taller than three feet inside the corner vision-setback triangle violates § 18.98.050 and can be ordered removed as a sight-obstruction hazard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my fence be near a street corner in Madera County?
Is there a general fence height limit in unincorporated Madera County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera County
How Madera County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Madera County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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