Glenn County, CA Fence Regulations: Permit Requirements (2026)

For unincorporated Glenn County, fence permitting is driven by the California Building Code that the county adopts and enforces, not by a standalone county fence permit. Under the 2022 California Building Code Section 105.2 (Work exempt from permit), fences not over 7 feet high are exempt from obtaining a building permit, and retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall are likewise exempt unless they support a surcharge. A fence over 7 feet, or a fence that doubles as a retaining structure, generally requires a building permit through the Glenn County building/permit counter. Separately, even a permit-exempt fence must still comply with Glenn County Title 15 zoning standards, including the vision-clearance rule near intersections and any required yard and screening standards for the underlying zone. Agricultural fencing on large rural parcels is common and typically falls below permit thresholds, but commercial, industrial, and screening walls may carry additional Title 15 requirements. Always verify current adopted code editions and local amendments with Glenn County Planning & Community Development Services before building.