Modesto's zoning code limits fences to 8 feet maximum and 42 inches in front and street-side yards. Commercial and industrial frontages must use decorative wrought iron or similar material; certain adjacencies to residential require solid decorative masonry walls.
Under MMC § 10-4.406 (Title 10, Ch. 4, Art. 4), no wall or fence may exceed 8 feet unless additional height is approved. Front and street-side yard fences are limited to 42 inches. R-1 zones require a 10-foot street-side setback for fences over 42 inches. Commercial or industrial frontage fences must be decorative wrought iron or similar material approved by the Director. Table 4.4-1 mandates solid decorative masonry walls: 6 ft (multi-family 15+ units adj. R-1), 8 ft (commercial/industrial adj. residential), and 7 ft min (single-family lots backing arterials). All walls must comply with clear-vision triangle rules per § 10-4.404. Fences over 7 feet require a Building Safety Division permit.
Unpermitted or non-conforming fences are subject to stop-work orders, mandatory removal, and civil penalties up to $2,500 per day under MMC Title 1.
Modesto, CA
Modesto's zoning code establishes minimum building setbacks for all zones under MMC Chapter 10-4. Single-family (R-1) and multi-family (R-2/R-3) zones requir...
Modesto, CA
Modesto limits fences to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 3 feet in front yards under MMC Title 10 (Zoning). Fences up to 8 feet may be allowed with a speci...
Modesto, CA
Modesto allows sheds and small accessory structures in residential zones. Structures under 120 sq ft typically do not require a building permit but must meet...
See how Modesto's material restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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