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Glenn County, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Glenn County Code § 15.37.100 (R-1 zone)
General fence height limit
6 feet
Front/corner side yard limit
3 feet
Material rule
Top extra foot cannot be solid
Max height with non-solid top
4 feet

Summary

In the R-1 single-family zone in unincorporated Glenn County, front and corner-lot side yard fences, walls and hedges are capped at three feet, but Glenn County Code Section 15.37.100 lets that fence reach four feet if the top foot is not made of solid material. Elsewhere on the lot, fences up to six feet are allowed outright.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Glenn County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Fences, walls and hedges not exceeding six feet in height shall be permitted, except that in a required front yard or side yard on a corner lot, a fence, wall or hedge shall not exceed three feet in height. A fence or wall may be allowed to a height of four feet provided that the additional one foot height is not of a solid material.

Full Breakdown

100 governs walls and fences in the R-1 Single Family Residential Zone: fences, walls and hedges up to six feet are permitted throughout most of a residential lot, but inside a required front yard, or a side yard on a corner lot, the limit drops to three feet. The same provision then creates the material restriction: a fence or wall may be allowed to a height of four feet provided the additional one foot height is not of a solid material. In practice, that means a homeowner can build a solid three-foot wall or fence in the front setback, then add another foot of open material, such as lattice, wrought iron, or spaced pickets, to reach four feet, but cannot simply build a solid four-foot wall or fence in that zone.

The identical structure repeats across Glenn County's other residential zones. 110 permits the same four-foot, non-solid-top-foot option in the front setback and separately requires a solid fence or wall at least six feet high along any side that abuts a lower-density residential, commercial or industrial zone. Fence height in every zone is measured, per the code's definitions, as the vertical distance from the property line's ground level to the highest point of the fence, using the lower of two unequal grades where a property line splits them.

Violations & Fines

A front-yard or corner-lot fence, wall or hedge built solid above three feet, or above four feet regardless of material, in the R-1 zone does not meet Section 15.37.100 and is subject to the same zoning code enforcement that applies to any unpermitted structure, including a required modification or removal before further permits, such as a certificate of occupancy, can be issued on the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can my front-yard fence be in unincorporated Glenn County?
In the R-1 zone, Glenn County Code Section 15.37.100 caps a fence, wall or hedge in a required front yard or corner-lot side yard at three feet, or four feet if the top foot is not solid material.
Can I build a solid four-foot fence in my front yard?
No. Section 15.37.100 only allows the extra foot above three feet if it is not of a solid material, so a fully solid four-foot fence in a front or corner side yard does not comply.
What fence height is allowed away from the front yard?
Fences, walls and hedges up to six feet are permitted outside the required front yard and corner-lot side yard under Section 15.37.100.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Glenn County

All Glenn County rules

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