Santa Rosa, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Santa Rosa City Code Section 20-30.060.G states: 'Barbed wire fencing shall not be constructed or placed over a fence except in agricultural, open space, or industrial areas. Minor Conditional Use Permit approval shall be required for barbed wire fencing abutting residential uses.' For WUI fire-safety, the City's Residential Fences handout cites SRCC Sections 18-22 R337.10.3.4 (referencing California Residential Code amendments), requiring 'new, altered, or added fences connected to dwellings or accessory structures in Wildland Urban Interface fire areas (WUI) to construct the attachment and first five feet of the fence with noncombustible materials' (with the requirement reduced to three feet if the building is sprinklered). The Residential Fences handout further requires that for wood fences, posts be 'redwood, construction grade or better (alternate: pressure treated Douglas fir, #2 or better).' Section 20-30.060.E directs the Building Official to deny a building permit for any fence that would 'interfere with access in case of fire by the Fire Department to buildings in the vicinity, or that will constitute a hazard to vehicle traffic or pedestrians.'