Pacifica, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Sec. 2311(a) makes it unlawful for any person to place, allow to be placed, or maintain a fence made wholly or partially of barbed wire in any district citywide, without exception for zone type. The only carve-out is for agricultural or rural uses: barbed wire may be used in fencing when necessary to contain horses and other livestock, and that exception applies only to fences built in accordance with Building Official approval for animal control purposes, meaning a property owner cannot install barbed wire on the strength of the livestock exception alone without first getting that sign-off.

Subsection (b) sets the affirmative standard for what fencing material is allowed: fencing must be either solid or of other substantial construction, including but not limited to wood, chain link, or wire that is not barbed, or other similar material. A narrow, temporary exception lets plastic mesh fencing or canvas tarp fencing be used, but only on a temporary basis during construction; that material cannot serve as a property's permanent perimeter fence. The section traces back to Ordinance No. 293 and was last amended by Ordinance No.

in 2009, and it applies to fencing citywide rather than to a single zoning district, distinguishing it from district-specific fence height standards found elsewhere in the Zoning Code.