Chino, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Exempt height
- under 3 feet
- Permit required
- 3 feet and taller
- Governing section
- Chino Municipal Code § 15.04.180
- Adopted by
- Ord. 2022-015, 7-19-2022
Summary
Chino exempts block walls and fences under three feet from a building permit; a fence that reaches three feet or taller requires a full permit under the city's amended Building Code.
105.2 Work exempt from permit. A building permit will not be required for the following: ...9.Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R, Division 3 Occupancy that are less than eighteen inches deep, do not exceed five thousand gallons, and are installed entirely above the ground.10.Block walls and fences less than three feet in height.11.Retaining walls under eighteen inches in height...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
The City of Chino, San Bernardino County, California, amended Section 105.2 of the California Building Code (Chino Municipal Code § 15.04.180, Ord. 2022-015, § 1, 7-19-2022) to list work exempt from a building permit. Block walls and fences under three feet in height are exempt entirely. Anything at or above that height needs a building permit, plan review by the building official, and inspection before it's built, plus separate electrical or plumbing permits if the fence includes those elements: the exemption does not cover a taller fence just because a homeowner builds it themselves.
Violations & Fines
Building a wall or fence three feet or taller without a permit can draw a stop-work order, a penalty equal to double the normal permit fee once work has started, and mandatory after-the-fact permitting and inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard fence in Chino?
What happens if I build a tall fence without a permit in Chino?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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Fence Permit Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle fence permit requirements.