Alameda, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

14(e), "Prohibited Fencing Materials," flatly bars barbed wire, razor wire, and similar materials from any part of any barrier regulated by the section, and separately bars chain-link fencing as part of any barrier on a residentially zoned or developed property except where the section specifically permits it. Subsection (f) carves out two residential exceptions: a chain-link fence up to six feet may go in a rear or side yard that isn't a street-side yard, isn't the rear yard of a corner or double-frontage lot, and isn't adjacent to a public or quasi-public land use; failing that, a chain-link fence outside the front yard may still be approved through Use Permit review for recreation or safety reasons, conditioned on mitigations such as decorative mesh, vinyl or colored coating, alternative post materials, or added landscaping and screening.

1, "Barbed Wire Fences," which addresses fences along streets and sidewalks rather than the zoning code's yard-based barrier rules: it bars constructing or maintaining a barbed wire fence or enclosure along a street, court, lane, thoroughfare, or sidewalk unless it is secured at least six feet above the ground. 14(e) is the controlling standard for residential and commercial property barriers generally, since it bans barbed wire outright rather than merely setting a minimum height.