Kings County, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Solid fence front setback
- 10 feet minimum
- Open Fence test
- 50%+ open to light/air/vision
- Max height, R-1/RM
- 7 feet
- Traffic Safety Visibility Area cap
- 3 feet
- Fence over 7 feet
- requires building permit
Summary
In Kings County's R-1 and RM districts, a solid fence over 50% closed needs a 10-foot front setback, while an open fence, built at least half see-through, can run straight up to the front property line.
(a) A solid fence, wall, or hedge not exceeding seven feet in height, may be located within any portion of the property provided that it is set back a minimum of 10 feet from the front property line and meets the Traffic Safety Visibility Area requirements. Noise attenuation fencing that is required as a mitigation measure is not limited to seven feet, but shall not exceed the height required in the mitigation measure.
(b) An Open Fence as defined in Article 25 of this Development Code, not exceeding seven feet in height, may be located in any portion of the front yard provided that it meets the Traffic Safety Visibility Area requirements.
(c) Fences, walls, and hedges shall not exceed three feet in height within a Traffic Safety Visibility Area as defined in Article 25 of this of this Development Code. A fence, wall, hedge or shrub not exceeding three feet in height may be located within any portion of the property.
(2) Corner lots:
(a) A solid fence, wall, or hedge not exceeding seven feet in height, may be located within any portion of the property provided that it is set back a minimum of 10 feet from the front and street side yard property
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
Article 25 Sec. 2501 sorts fences by how much of their face is see-through: an Open Fence lets light, air and view pass through at least 50% of its vertical surface, while a Solid Fence is 51% or more closed. That construction test controls where a fence can sit. Under Section 508, R-1 and RM lots allow a solid fence, wall or hedge up to seven feet anywhere on the lot, but it must be set back 10 feet from the front property line; an Open Fence of the same height skips that setback and can run right up to the front line, so long as it stays inside the three-foot Traffic Safety Visibility Area near driveways and corners.
Violations & Fines
Building a solid fence, wall or hedge without the 10-foot front setback, or any fence over seven feet without a building permit, is a code violation the Zoning Administrator can order corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a fence 'open' instead of 'solid' in Kings County?
Can I build a solid fence right up to my front yard property line?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kings County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kings County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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