San Luis Obispo County, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Solid materials
- Wood or masonry
- Open materials
- Wire/chain-link, 90% light passage
- Chain-link w/ slats
- Industrial only
- Berm substitution
- Allowed if same height
- Code Section
- Section 22.10.080 / 23.04.190
Summary
San Luis Obispo County's Land Use Ordinance specifies fence and screening materials by location. Required screening must generally be solid wood or masonry, or open wire/chain link that permits passage of at least 90 percent of light. Chain-link with slats plus landscaping may substitute for a solid wall only in industrial categories.
Where screening is required by this Title to be a solid fence or wall, alternative materials may be substituted through adjustment, except a solid fence or wall must be used where screening is required adjacent to a residential use or category. Chain-link fencing with slats and landscaping may be substituted for a solid wall or fence in an Industrial category, except where screening or fencing is required adjacent to another land use category.
Full Breakdown
080 prescribes 'Standards for fencing materials' based on location. Acceptable materials include solid wood or masonry, or open wire/chain-link that allows passage of at least 90 percent of light. Where screening is required to be a solid fence or wall, alternative materials may be substituted by adjustment, except that a solid fence or wall must be used where screening is required adjacent to a residential use or category. Chain-link fencing with slats and landscaping may be substituted for a solid wall or fence in an Industrial category, except where screening or fencing is required adjacent to another land use category.
Landscaped berms may substitute for a wall or fence provided the combination of berm and landscaping is not less than the required height. 190 mirrors these provisions in the Coastal Zone. 080.
Violations & Fines
Using a non-conforming material where the ordinance requires a specific type (e.g., installing chain-link with slats adjacent to a residential category where a solid wall is required) is a zoning violation. The Director may order removal, replacement with conforming material, or require a Minor Use Permit adjustment. Continuing violations are subject to County Code general penalty and nuisance-abatement remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put chain-link with privacy slats next to my neighbor's house in a residential zone?
Does the county ban barbed wire on my rural ranch?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Luis Obispo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Luis Obispo County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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