San Benito County, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

San Benito County regulates fence materials, not just height, through County Code Section 25.07.013, Fences, Walls, and Screening. Barbed wire and electrified fencing are permitted in agricultural zones, consistent with the county's rural and ranching character, but are prohibited in all residential, commercial, and industrial zones unless approved through a development review or conditional use permit process for security needs or where required by the county or by state or federal law. Razor wire and concertina wire, whether used in conjunction with a fence or wall or by itself, are prohibited. Chain link fencing is not allowed in a required front yard or street side yard, which keeps the most visible street frontages free of utilitarian chain link. The code does make an allowance for temporary security fencing, including chain link, up to a maximum height of 6 feet around the property lines of vacant property, with county approval. These material rules apply on top of the height standards (Section 25.07.013, Tables 25.07-J and 25.07-K) and the corner-visibility rules (Section 25.29.013). For exact prohibited-material wording and any zone-specific exceptions, owners should review the current code text with the Planning Division.