Contra Costa County, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

The county zoning code permits a wide range of fence materials in unincorporated residential areas: wood (board, lattice, louver), vinyl/PVC, composite, masonry block (with stucco or veneer), wrought iron, tubular steel, and chain-link. There is no countywide prohibition on material types, but specific Community Planning Areas (CPAs) — notably Alamo, Kensington, Saranap, and parts of El Sobrante — have Municipal Advisory Council design expectations or design-review criteria that favor natural materials and discourage chain-link in front yards. In agricultural and large-lot zones, barbed wire, high-tensile wire, and electric fencing are permitted for livestock containment. Razor wire and concertina wire are generally not permitted in residential zones. Fences must be structurally sound and maintained; leaning or collapsing fences can be cited by Code Enforcement as a nuisance or unsafe structure. Fences in fire hazard zones (VHFHSZ) may be subject to Public Resources Code §4291 defensible-space considerations — combustible fencing against the house can be a defensible-space problem. Masonry walls over 3.5 feet require an engineered building permit.