Santa Barbara County, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Exempt (front setback)
- Fence 6 ft or less; no planning permit
- Exempt (side/rear)
- Fence 8 ft or less; no planning permit
- Over thresholds
- Minor Conditional Use / Land Use / Coastal Development Permit
- Coastal Zone
- Exempt only if not near wetland, beach, ESHA or coastal bluff
- Building permit (state)
- CRC: fences over 7 ft, retaining walls over 4 ft
- Where to apply
- Santa Barbara County Planning & Development
Summary
Many fences in unincorporated Santa Barbara County are exempt from a planning permit when they stay within the heights in LUDC Table 3-1 (6 ft in front setbacks, 8 ft in side/rear). Taller fences need a Minor Conditional Use Permit, Land Use Permit or Coastal Development Permit. The County Planning & Development Department processes these applications.
3. Exception to height limits. A maximum of 10 percent of the total linear length of a wall or fence may be allowed to exceed the maximum height specified for exemption from a permit in Subsections C.1 (Non-Agricultural zones) or C.2 (Agricultural zones) above, where the review authority first determines that topographic or other unavoidable conditions will destroy its architectural integrity if held to the maximum height specified for its entire length.
Full Breakdown
070, fence permit requirements depend on location and height. In non-agricultural zones (Table 3-1), fences are exempt from a planning permit when 6 ft or less within a front setback or 8 ft or less within side/rear setbacks; fences exceeding those heights require a Minor Conditional Use Permit, while fences over 8 ft outside a required setback require a Coastal Development or Land Use Permit. In agricultural zones (Table 3-2), exceeding the same thresholds requires a Land Use or Coastal Development Permit. 050 is required.
A retaining wall (retaining earth only) not over four feet from the bottom of the footing to the top is exempt from a Coastal Development or Land Use Permit unless near a coastal bluff, beach, or sensitive habitat. Separately, the California Residential Code requires a building permit for fences over 7 feet and for retaining walls over 4 feet. Apply through Santa Barbara County Planning & Development.
Violations & Fines
Installing a fence above the exempt thresholds, or a coastal-zone fence that does not qualify for exemption, without the required Minor Conditional Use, Land Use or Coastal Development Permit can result in code enforcement, fines, stop-work orders and required removal or after-the-fact permitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in unincorporated Santa Barbara County?
Are coastal-zone fences treated differently?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Barbara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Barbara County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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