Mono County, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

The General Plan Land Use Element for unincorporated Mono County regulates fences primarily by height and placement under Section 04.160 rather than by a county-wide list of banned or required materials. The code does not set a general material-restriction standard, so common fencing materials such as wood, post-and-rail, and wire are generally acceptable for rural parcels, subject to the 7-foot height limit (4 feet in front yards) and sight-line rules. The most significant material-related guidance concerns wildlife: the county states that fencing in sensitive wildlife areas warrants special consideration and directs owners to wildlife-friendly fence design best practices in the Conservation/Open Space Element, which favor smooth wire and designs that allow wildlife to pass, given the county's important migration corridors. In addition, specific communities governed by specific plans, area plans, or design guidelines may include material or appearance standards, and any pool barrier must meet California Building Code material and construction requirements. Because there is no blanket prohibition in the General Plan, the safest course is to confirm any community-specific design rules with the Mono County Community Development Department. These standards apply to unincorporated land only; the Town of Mammoth Lakes has its own separate code.