Placer County Code Section 17.54.030 sets fence height limits in the RA, RF, RM, RS, C1, HS, and INP zoning districts. Within the front setback, fences are limited to 3 feet, except open wire, chain link, or wood rail fencing may go to 4 feet in the RS zone where the site and surrounding parcels are at least one acre. In side and rear yards, fences may be up to 6 feet generally, with retaining wall plus fence combinations allowed up to 8 feet measured from the lowest finished grade. California Civil Code Section 841 (the Good Neighbor Fence Act) governs cost-sharing between adjoining owners.
Placer County Code Section 17.54.030 ('Landscaping and fencing') is the primary fence-height regulation for unincorporated areas. The section applies to sites in the residential agricultural (RA), residential forest (RF), residential multifamily (RM), residential single-family (RS), neighborhood commercial (C1), highway services (HS), and industrial park (INP) zone districts. Front setback: fences are limited to 3 feet in height, with an exception that allows open-style fencing (open wire, chain link, wood rail or similar) up to 4 feet in RS zones where the subject parcel and surrounding parcels are at least one acre. Side and rear setbacks: solid fences are typically allowed up to 6 feet; the County also allows a retaining wall and fence combined up to 8 feet measured from the lowest finished grade, provided the wall-and-fence is in a side or rear yard and not within any required front or street-side setback. Open wire, chain link, or wood rail fencing may reach 6 feet in RA and RF districts and 4 feet in RS and RM districts when the parcel and surrounding parcels are at least one acre. Where the County requires fencing as a condition of a permit (for noise mitigation, screening, or aesthetics), height may be set at 6 feet or higher as needed. Building permits are issued by the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency through Permit Center; permits are typically required for fences over 6 feet in height per the California Building Code. Sight-distance triangles at street intersections and driveways limit obstructions in the visibility area regardless of zone. California Civil Code Section 841 (the Good Neighbor Fence Act) governs cost allocation for fences between adjoining residential owners; California Civil Code Section 841.4 addresses spite fences. The Tahoe portions of Placer County (Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Truckee-region unincorporated parcels) are also subject to TRPA scenic-quality and design standards that may further limit fence height and materials.
Building or maintaining a fence that exceeds Section 17.54.030 height limits, or is placed within a required setback or sight-distance triangle, can result in a Placer County Code Compliance notice and an order to lower or remove the fence. Fences over 6 feet built without a building permit can also receive a building-code citation. Owners may apply for a variance under Chapter 17.60 if site-specific conditions justify additional height. Civil disputes between neighbors over a shared fence are governed by California Civil Code Section 841 and resolved in civil court.
See how Placer County's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.