Sonoma County's adopted fence standards for residential and K zones prohibit barbed wire, razor wire, glass, exposed concrete masonry units, bunker blocks, and reflective metal finishes. Permitted materials include wood, composite wood, stone or masonry, stucco/plaster, woven metal (chain link, hog wire), and non-reflective metal.
Permit Sonoma's adopted fence guidelines (PJR-133), implementing Sonoma County Code Chapter 26 as amended by Ordinance No. 6547 (Dec. 16, 2025), establish objective material standards for fences in residential districts (AR, RR, R1, R2, R3) and the K (Recreation and Visitor-Serving Commercial) district. Allowed materials include wood, composite wood, stone or masonry, stucco/plaster, woven metal (such as chain-link and hog wire), and non-reflective metal; concrete masonry units (CMU) are allowed only when covered with stucco, plaster, or veneer. Prohibited materials include glass, bunker blocks, exposed (uncovered) concrete masonry units, razor wire, reflective metal finishes, and barbed wire. Use of a prohibited material, or a non-listed material, triggers Design Review with a hearing as a fence-standards exception. Agricultural and resource zoning districts (LEA, LIA, DA, RRD) and commercial/industrial districts have no county-imposed material restrictions on fences.
Installing prohibited materials in a residential or K zone without an approved exception is a zoning violation; Permit Sonoma can issue stop-work orders, administrative citations, and removal orders. California Penal Code section 597t and other state nuisance laws may also apply to dangerous barbed/razor wire installations near pedestrian areas.
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