Chino Hills, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

The City of Chino Hills restricts certain fence materials through Development Code Section 16.06.120. Barbed wire, razor ribbon, and other similar materials are prohibited as wall or fencing material, except in undeveloped Agriculture/Ranch or Open Space areas where they are required to restrict cattle movement, or on utility installations. Chain-link or similar wire fencing is restricted in front yards and in street-facing side or rear yards; chain-link fencing that was installed before November 24, 2015, is treated as a legal non-conforming structure that may remain. The code's broader intent is that fences and walls use durable, finished materials such as masonry, stone, brick, concrete, or wrought iron/tubular steel, with wood permitted for single-family residences when complementary to the architecture and kept maintained. In the front yard, any fence portion above 3 feet that brings the fence to the 6-foot maximum must be open material (e.g. tubular steel) or transparent material (e.g. acrylic) rather than solid. These are city-specific zoning material rules and are stricter than the California Building Code, which addresses structural safety and the building-permit threshold but does not dictate decorative material or chain-link placement. Because allowable materials depend on the zone and the location on the lot, owners should confirm with the Community Development Department before purchasing fencing.