San Marcos, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

030 of the Walls and Fences chapter lists approved materials in subsection D: wood, vinyl, stone, masonry, brick, block, stucco, wrought iron, and concrete, with opaque required walls limited to brick, split-face block, stone, or frame-stucco. Subsection E then flatly prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, concertina wire, corrugated metal or plastic, tarps, and electrified wire of any kind in every zone in the City. The only carve-out is for Agricultural (A) zoned lots, where woven wire, barbed wire, or electrified fencing is allowed in front and side yards solely to secure livestock or horses, capped at 72 inches high; that exception does not extend to any other zone or to any other stated purpose.

Chain-link fencing gets its own, separate restriction: it is prohibited along any public right-of-way regardless of setback distance in every zone except Agricultural, and where chain-link is used elsewhere on the lot it cannot be visible from the public right-of-way. A, meaning a fence contractor or homeowner cannot obtain sign-off on a residential fence permit if the proposed materials fall on this prohibited list.