Napa County, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed materials (residential)
- Wood, wire, stone, concrete, glass block, slatted, other
- Required above 6 ft in side/rear setback
- See-through (deer wire, lattice, chain link)
- Commercial / industrial districts
- Use permit or site plan approval required
- Code citation
- NCC 18.08.297, 18.104.270(A)(1), (C), (D)
Summary
Napa County defines a fence broadly to allow wood, wire, stone, concrete, glass block or other construction, but in residential and agricultural zones any portion above 6 ft in side or rear yard setbacks must be see-through (deer wire, lattice or chain link). Commercial and industrial fencing must be approved by use permit or site plan, except for agricultural uses.
18.08.297 - Fence. 'Fence' means a continuous structural barrier at least ten feet in length generally parallel to the perimeter of a property boundary or use area. Fences may be solid, transparent, or both (e.g., slatted) and of wood, wire, stone, concrete, glass block, or other construction. Fences include 'walls,' as commonly defined, but do not include 'entry structures' as defined by this code. ... 18.104.270 ... C. In any CN, CL, MC, and IP districts, all fencing must be specified by use permit or site plan approval, except fences associated with agricultural uses shall be in accordance with subsection (A) above. D. In any GI or I district, fencing shall be permitted in required yards as necessary to provide effective screening and security for permitted uses. All fencing shall be specified by use permit or site plan approval, except fences associated with agricultural uses shall be in accordance with subsection (A) above.
Full Breakdown
297 defines a fence as 'a continuous structural barrier at least ten feet in length generally parallel to the perimeter of a property boundary or use area. 270(A)(1) any portion of a fence above 6 ft in a side or rear yard setback must be see-through unless a fence permit modifies the rule. ' In the GI and I (general industrial and industrial) districts, subsection (D) allows fencing in required yards 'as necessary to provide effective screening and security for permitted uses,' again subject to use permit or site plan approval. 270 and would be reviewed under the use-permit / site-plan process and the California Building Code for permitted construction.
Violations & Fines
A fence that uses a non-conforming material or design (for example a solid 8-ft wood fence above the 6-ft see-through line) without a fence permit is a Zoning Code violation. Napa County Code Compliance accepts complaints via online form, phone (707-253-4417), or in person, and prioritizes complaints by severity per the PBES Code Compliance page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are chain-link fences allowed in a residential front yard?
Is barbed wire allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Napa County
California rules heatmap·Compare Napa County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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