Contra Costa County's Ordinance Code does not impose a general material restriction on residential fences in unincorporated areas. The only material-specific rule is that concrete and masonry walls are classified as walls (not fences) and require a building permit regardless of height.
Unlike many incorporated cities in the county, no county-wide ordinance prohibits specific fence materials such as barbed wire, chain link, or razor wire on residential property in unincorporated areas. Per Ordinance Code Section 72-6.202, the only material-based distinction is that 'Concrete and masonry walls are considered walls, not fences and do require building permits.' Wood, vinyl, chain link, wrought iron and wire fences up to 7 feet are exempt from the permit requirement. Property owners should still check the underlying zoning district (Title 8) for any use-specific limits, and any homeowners' association CC&Rs that may impose stricter material rules.
Installing a masonry or concrete wall without a permit is enforceable as a Building Code violation; the county may require removal or after-the-fact permitting. Other material choices are governed primarily by private CC&Rs, neighbor relations, and California Civil Code 'spite fence' provisions (Civ. Code Section 841.4), not by county ordinance.
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Contra Costa County, CA
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Contra Costa County, CA
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Contra Costa County, CA
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Contra Costa County, CA
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Contra Costa County, CA
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Contra Costa County, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Contra Costa County.
See how other cities in Contra Costa County handle material restrictions.
See how El Cerrito's material restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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