Upland, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

060, 'Fence and Wall Materials,' sets the baseline standard in subsection (A): fences and walls shall be constructed of decorative masonry, ornamental steel or iron, or wood and shall complement the architectural style of the primary structures on the property, though the Development Services Director can approve other materials found compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. Subsection (B) separately bars specific improvised materials outright, listing sheet metal, vehicles, underground or above-ground tanks, garage doors, aluminum siding, corrugated tin, and other similar materials not specifically designed for use as fencing.

The provision most residents ask about is subsection (C): chain-link, barbed wire, razor wire, or wire mesh fences are prohibited in all residential zones and areas visible from a public or private street. That means chain-link is not banned citywide; a commercial or industrial parcel out of street view can still use it, but any residential lot, and any lot in any zone facing a street, cannot. Subsection (D) adds a safety rule layered on top: fences cannot have protruding nails, spikes, wires or other sharp objects, and barbed wire or razor wire is barred outright unless deemed necessary for safety by the Development Services Director, a narrow exception distinct from the flat residential-zone ban in (C). 020.