Visalia, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Chapter
- VMC Chapter 17.36
- Max Height (Side/Rear)
- 7 feet
- Max Height (Front/Street-Side)
- 3 feet
- R-A Front-Yard Exception
- Up to 4 ft if top 1 ft is 50%+ open
- Height Measurement
- From adjacent finished grade
Summary
Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 17.36 caps residential fences, walls, and hedges at 7 feet in height in side and rear yards. Within a required front yard or street-side yard on a corner or cul-de-sac lot, the limit drops to 3 feet (or 4 feet if the top foot is at least 50% open in R-A zones).
The height of a fence or wall shall be measured from the adjacent finished grade, excluding raised planters or berms, to the top of the fence, wall or hedge.
Full Breakdown
36 (Fences, Walls and Hedges) sets the height standards by zone. 040 (multiple-family residential) both permit fences, walls and hedges up to seven feet in height in side and rear yards, but limit them to three feet in any required front yard or required street-side yard on a corner or cul-de-sac lot. 020), a fence or wall may reach four feet in front-yard areas provided the additional one foot is at least 50% open. 050) the same 7-foot side/rear and 3-foot front-yard limits apply, with required masonry buffer walls at least six feet high screening open storage areas.
060) require a concrete or masonry wall not less than seven feet high on property lines where the site abuts an R-A, R-1, or R-M zone.
Violations & Fines
Fences exceeding the 7-foot side/rear maximum or the 3-foot front-yard maximum are zoning violations enforced by Visalia Code Enforcement under VMC Title 17. The City typically issues a notice of violation requiring the owner to lower or remove the non-compliant section. Continued non-compliance can escalate to administrative citations under VMC Title 1 and civil enforcement. Complaints can be filed via the Code Enforcement hotline at 559-713-4534.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my backyard fence be in Visalia?
What is the maximum fence height in my front yard?
How is fence height measured?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Visalia
How Visalia compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare Visalia to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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