Shasta County, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Building permit threshold (CBC 105.2)
- Fences over 7 feet
- Masonry/concrete wall permit
- Over 4 feet from footing
- Use permit (zoning)
- To exceed 3 ft / 6 ft caps
- Building permits issued by
- Resource Mgmt - Building Division
- Zoning reviewed by
- Resource Mgmt - Planning Division
- Fences listed in Building scope
- Yes (signs, fences, MH set-ups)
Summary
Routine residential fences need no county building permit, but the California Building Code requires a building permit for any fence over 7 feet tall. A use permit from Planning is needed to exceed the zoning height caps (3 ft front / 6 ft rear). The Building Division handles fence permits.
B. Height Exceptions. The following exceptions apply to height regulations: ... 4. Administrative/Use Permit. Except as otherwise provided in this section, any residential accessory structure, building or fence may be erected to a greater height or number of stories than the limit established for the district in which the structure is to be located, provided that an administrative permit is issued. For all other over-height structures, buildings or fences, issuance of a use permit is required.
Full Breakdown
Two separate approvals can apply to fences in unincorporated Shasta County. 030. 2), enforced by the Shasta County Building Division, exempts most fences from a building permit: a fence not over seven feet in height needs no building permit. Concrete or masonry walls over four feet measured from the bottom of the footing, and any fence over seven feet, do require a building permit with structural details. The Building Division's stated scope expressly includes plan review, permits and inspections for miscellaneous items such as signs, fences and mobile-home set-ups in the unincorporated area.
Because zoning and building rules are independent, a fence that needs no building permit (under 7 feet) can still violate the zoning height cap in a front yard. Always verify your parcel's zone district and required yards with the Department of Resource Management, and check sight-distance rules near driveways and corners, before installing a fence.
Violations & Fines
Installing a fence that exceeds the CBC permit threshold without a building permit, or exceeding zoning height limits without a use permit, can trigger a stop-work order, required permit application with possible investigation fees, and code-enforcement action by Shasta County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a 6-foot wood fence in unincorporated Shasta County?
Who issues fence permits in Shasta County?
When does a fence over the height limit get approved?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Shasta County
California rules heatmap·Compare Shasta County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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