Sacramento County, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitted materials
- Wood, chain link, stone, rock, concrete block, brick, wrought iron
- Minimum plywood thickness
- Five-eighths of an inch in front and street side yards
- Barbed or concertina wire
- Minor Special Development Permit unless in a by-right zone
- Barbed wire for animals
- Permitted in AR-2, AR-5 and AR-10 zones
- Masonry wall breaks
- Pedestrian break at least every 300 feet
- Vacant lot security fence
- Temporary Use Permit, valid one year and renewable
- Deviation process
- Special Development Permit by the Zoning Administrator
Summary
Sacramento County Zoning Code § 5.2.5.A allows fences built of permanent material such as wood, chain link, stone, rock, concrete block, brick and decorative wrought iron, plus anything the Planning Director approves. Used items, thin plywood, particle board, paper, plastic tarp and cloth are prohibited in front yards, street side yards and along alleys. Barbed or concertina wire needs a Minor Special Development Permit in most zones.
Permitted Materials. A fence may be constructed of permanent material, such as wood, chain link, stone, rock, concrete block, masonry brick, brick, decorative wrought iron or other material approved by the Planning Director. Prohibited Materials. Fencing materials prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following. This Section shall only apply to fences located in the front yard, street side yard, and fences abutting any alley or other public right-of-way. Cast-off, secondhand, or other items not originally intended to be used for constructing or maintaining a fence. Plywood less than five-eighths inches thick, plywood not of a grade approved the Planning Director, particle board, paper, and visqueen plastic, plastic tarp, cloth, or similar material. The use of barbed wire or concertina wire shall require a Minor Special Development Permit, unless such fencing is located in the agricultural, M-1, or M-2 zones, and located adjacent to property in either the agricultural or industrial zones, in which case its use shall be permitted by right. The use of barbed wire is permitted in the AR-2, AR-5 and AR-10 zones if used for the keeping of animals.
Full Breakdown
The materials rule sits in § 5.2.5.A, General Standards, of the Sacramento County Zoning Code, amended June 7, 2018 and again September 10, 2026. It starts with a permitted list. A fence can be built of permanent material, with wood, chain link, stone, rock, concrete block, masonry brick, brick and decorative wrought iron named, and any other material the Planning Director approves.
The prohibited list is narrower in reach than the permitted list. It applies only to fences in the front yard, to fences in the street side yard, and to fences abutting an alley or other public right-of-way. Prohibited items are cast-off or secondhand material never intended for fencing, plywood thinner than five-eighths of an inch, plywood not of a grade the Planning Director approves, particle board, paper, visqueen plastic, plastic tarp, cloth and similar material. The code says the list is not exhaustive, so a material of the same character can be refused too.
Barbed wire and concertina wire need a Minor Special Development Permit. The exception is by-right use in the agricultural, M-1 and M-2 zones when the fence sits next to property in an agricultural or industrial zone. Barbed wire also needs no permit in the AR-2, AR-5 and AR-10 zones when it is used for keeping animals.
Other rules in the same section shape material choices. Masonry walls must carry a graffiti-resistant surface treatment suited to the location, with a break for pedestrian connections at least every 300 feet. Perimeter fences around private pools follow California Building Code Section 3109.4.4.3. Fences next to street intersections and driveways must meet the visibility requirements of the Sacramento County Improvement Standards.
Security fencing around vacant property needs a Temporary Use Permit from the Zoning Administrator in every zone. Chain link held up by a concrete block, fence weight or steel base is allowed, and barbed wire, concertina fencing, electric fencing and any permanent fencing are prohibited there. The permit runs one year and renews. Electric fencing for agricultural use is covered separately in § 5.2.5.H, and non-agricultural electric fencing points to Section 6.8.4.A.
All fences must be maintained so they do not become a hazard, public nuisance or blight. A fence that departs from these standards can still be approved with a Special Development Permit from the Zoning Administrator.
Violations & Fines
Section 5.2.5.A prints no fine amount. The remedy it sets out is permit based: a fence built with a prohibited material in a front yard, street side yard or alley frontage must come down or be replaced with a permitted material, unless a Special Development Permit from the Zoning Administrator approves the deviation. Barbed or concertina wire installed without a Minor Special Development Permit, outside the by-right zones, is also out of compliance. A fence that becomes a hazard, public nuisance or blight violates the maintenance clause.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials can I use for a fence in Sacramento County?
Which fence materials are banned in Sacramento County?
Can I put barbed wire on my fence in Sacramento County?
Can I fence a vacant lot with chain link?
What if I want a material that the code does not allow?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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