Fullerton Permit Requirements Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

The City of Fullerton Community Development Department administers fence permit requirements through its Building Division and Planning Division. Under the locally adopted California Building Code and Fullerton's zoning ordinance, the need for a building permit depends on the fence material, height, and location on the property.

For standard residential fence projects using wood, vinyl, composite, or chain-link materials that do not exceed 6 feet in height in a side or rear yard, no building permit is typically required from the Building Division. These fences must still comply with all zoning ordinance height limits, setback requirements, and material standards, and the property owner is responsible for confirming compliance before construction. A fence that meets height limits but is placed within a required setback, easement, or sight-distance triangle may still be a violation even without a permit requirement.

Masonry construction carries elevated permit requirements. Concrete block, brick, stone, stucco-over-masonry, and other heavy-wall fences exceeding 3.5 feet (42 inches) in exposed height require a building permit from the Fullerton Building Division. The permit application must include structural drawings stamped by a California-licensed structural engineer demonstrating that the wall's foundation, footings, and reinforcement meet seismic standards for Orange County. Fullerton is located in a seismically active region, and unreinforced or poorly designed masonry walls pose a significant collapse risk during earthquakes — a factor that drives the stricter permit threshold for masonry construction.

Any fence or wall of any material that exceeds 6 feet in total height — measured from the lowest adjacent finished grade — requires both a building permit and a zoning variance approved by the Fullerton Planning Commission. The variance process involves a public hearing, notification of adjacent property owners, and a finding that the excess height is justified by the specific circumstances of the property. Front yard fences exceeding the standard 42-inch height limit also require Community Development Department review and approval.

Homeowners planning any fence project in Fullerton should contact the Community Development Department at (714) 738-6531 before beginning construction to confirm whether a permit is required, to verify the applicable height and setback limits for their zoning district, and to determine whether any easements or sight-distance triangles affect their property.