Sonoma County, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard (residential/K)
- 3 ft by-right within required front yard (Sec. 26-88-030(a)); up to 6 ft under PJR-133
- Side & rear yard
- 6 ft by-right; up to 8 ft with open/lattice top under PJR-133
- Street corner
- Max 3 ft within 15 ft of a street corner
- Outside setbacks / ag zones
- No county height limit (subject to building-permit thresholds)
- Measurement
- From lowest existing grade to topmost point
- Authority
- Sonoma County Code Ch. 26, Sec. 26-88-030(a); Ord. 6547 (2025)
Summary
In unincorporated Sonoma County's residential and K districts, fences are limited to 3 feet in required front yards (and within 15 feet of a street corner) and 6 feet in required side and rear yards without a use permit. Updated objective standards (Ord. 6547, 2025) let many fences go taller by-right with open or lattice tops.
Sec. 26-88-030. - General height regulations and exceptions.
(a) In an AR, RR, R1, R2, R3 or K district, no fence shall hereinafter be constructed to exceed six feet (6) in height within any required side yard to the rear of the front line of any dwelling, or along any rear property line, nor to exceed three feet (3) in height within any required front yard nor within fifteen feet (15) of the street corner nor within any required exterior side yard on any corner lot, without first securing a use permit in each case.
Full Breakdown
Sonoma County Zoning Code Section 26-88-030(a) is the core fence-height rule for the unincorporated county. In an AR, RR, R1, R2, R3 or K district, no fence may exceed six feet (6') within any required side yard to the rear of the front line of a dwelling or along any rear property line, nor exceed three feet (3') within any required front yard, within fifteen feet (15') of a street corner, or within any required exterior side yard on a corner lot, without first securing a use permit.
In December 2025 the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 6547 (File ORD25-0006) adding objective fence standards. Under Permit Sonoma's PJR-133 Fence Guidelines, the maximum heights in residential/K districts are now 6 feet in the front/street-side yard setback and 8 feet in side and rear yard setbacks; portions above the base limit must be open or wooden-lattice design. Outside required setbacks, and in agricultural/resource zones (LEA, LIA, DA, RRD), there are generally no height or setback restrictions. Height is measured from the lowest existing grade to the topmost point.
Heights beyond these thresholds require administrative design review, design review, or a use permit. Setbacks and the exact yard depths vary by zoning district, so confirm your zone with Permit Sonoma before building.
Violations & Fines
Building a fence taller than the by-right limits within a required yard without the necessary use permit, design review, or administrative design review can trigger a code-enforcement notice, stop-work order, fines, and an order to lower or remove the fence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my fence be in unincorporated Sonoma County?
Does this apply to the City of Sonoma?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonoma County
How Sonoma County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Sonoma County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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