Typical residential fences in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County do not require a planning or building permit. However, fences that must be constructed per the Uniform/California Building Code (e.g., taller walls, pool/spa enclosures, masonry walls) do require a building permit, and discretionary approval is needed to exceed standard height or modify material requirements.
The County of San Luis Obispo Planning & Building Department states that 'Typically a fence does not require a permit,' but homeowners must comply with the fencing and screening standards in Section 22.10.080 (Inland) or Section 23.04.190 (Coastal). Section 22.10.080 provides that 'Any of the requirements may be waived or modified through Minor Use Permit approval, provided the Director finds that specifically identified characteristics of the site or site vicinity would make required fencing or screening unnecessary or ineffective.' Fences must be constructed consistent with the Uniform/California Building Code requirements. A building permit is required for any fence or wall the Building Code itself regulates, including masonry walls and pool enclosures. Yard areas with private swimming pools must be fenced in compliance with the California Building Code (CBC Section 3109) and Health & Safety Code Section 115923, requiring a non-removable enclosure at least 60 inches high. Special review applies in coastal wetlands, bluffs, beaches, or near creeks - contact the Planning Department for guidance.
Constructing a fence or wall that requires a building permit without one is enforceable as a Building Code violation; the County can issue stop-work orders, require after-the-fact permits (often with double fees), and assess penalties. Exceeding the 6 ft 6 in / 12 ft height limits without a Minor Use Permit, or installing non-conforming materials adjacent to a residential category, is a zoning violation subject to County Code general penalty and nuisance abatement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Luis Obispo County, CA
Aircraft noise in flight is preempted by federal law and is expressly exempted from San Luis Obispo County's noise standards by Section 23.06.042. Land-use c...
San Luis Obispo County, CA
San Luis Obispo County Code Section 23.06.042(d) exempts construction noise from the exterior noise standards provided the activity occurs only between 7 a.m...
San Luis Obispo County, CA
Amplified music in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County is regulated under County Code Section 23.06.044, which reduces the applicable exterior noise limit ...
San Luis Obispo County, CA
Storing commercial vehicles and farm equipment in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County is governed by county zoning, which is more permissive in agricultura...
San Luis Obispo County, CA
Driveway approaches onto county roads in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County require an encroachment permit from County Public Works and must meet sight-di...
San Luis Obispo County, CA
Unincorporated San Luis Obispo County is served largely by rural and coastal roads without curbside parking regulation; vehicles must not obstruct the roadwa...
See how San Luis Obispo County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.