Fresno, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed
- Wrought iron, tubular steel, wood, masonry, stucco, decorative concrete, hedges
- Chain link
- Allowed only when 3 ft high; not along a major street unless 3 ft or less
- Prohibited
- Plywood/OSB, chicken wire, corrugated, piping, doors, mattresses, tarps
- Hazardous fencing
- Barbed/razor wire prohibited except per FMC 15-2009
- Code Section
- FMC 15-2006 (materials); 15-2009 (security)
Summary
Fresno's official fence handout for Section 15-2006 lists allowed materials (wrought iron, tubular steel, wood, masonry, stucco, decorative concrete, hedges, and chain link in limited cases) and bans improvised, hazardous, and salvage materials such as plywood, chicken wire, corrugated products, piping, doors, mattresses, tarps, and chain link along major streets unless 3 feet or less.
Materials. Allowed: Wrought Iron or Tubular Steel; Hedges; Wood or Split rail wood; Stucco; Brick and stone; Decorative concrete; Shade cloth, when used with chain link, wrought iron, tubular steel; Chain link, when three feet high; Privacy slats, when used with chain link. Not Allowed: Plywood, OSB, pressboard, etc.; Chicken wire, etc.; Corrugated products; Piping; Hazardous fencing; Improvised materials: Wood scraps, Doors, Garage doors, Refrigerator doors, Mattresses, Blankets, Tarps; Chainlink along a major street, unless 3' high or less.
Full Breakdown
The City of Fresno Planning Department handout for Fresno Municipal Code Section 15-2006 (Fences, Walls, and Hedges) sets out allowed and prohibited fence materials. Allowed materials include wrought iron or tubular steel, hedges, wood or split-rail wood, stucco, brick and stone, decorative concrete, shade cloth (when used with chain link / wrought iron / tubular steel), chain link when three feet high, and privacy slats when used with chain link. Not allowed are plywood, OSB, pressboard and similar sheet goods; chicken wire; corrugated products; piping; hazardous fencing; and improvised or salvage materials such as wood scraps, doors, garage doors, refrigerator doors, mattresses, blankets, and tarps. Chain link is also prohibited along a major street unless it is 3 feet high or less. Separately, hazardous fencing such as barbed wire, razor wire, and ultra-barrier is generally prohibited except in the narrow security-fencing situations allowed by Section 15-2009.
Violations & Fines
Fences built of prohibited or improvised materials are abated by the City of Fresno Code Enforcement Division. Owners are typically issued a notice to remove or replace the non-conforming material; failure to comply can result in administrative citations and abatement costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a fence out of old doors or pallets?
Is chain link allowed in Fresno?
Can I use plywood for a privacy fence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno
California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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Material Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fresno County handle material restrictions.