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

In the unincorporated inland area, a building permit is required for fences that exceed six feet in height; the County's Inland Zoning Code fence provisions in Section 20.152.015 note that fences over six feet require building permits, and Title 18 (Building Regulations) governs the permit itself, with building permits required under Mendocino County Code Section 18.08.10 as mandated by the California Building Code. Fences six feet or shorter generally do not need a building permit but must still comply with the height and yard limits of the zoning district and Section 20.152.015. The picture changes in the Coastal Zone, which is regulated by Division II (the Coastal Zoning Code) under the County's Local Coastal Program. Because 'development' includes significant changes or additions to land, a fence can require a Coastal Development Permit, which is a discretionary review involving a planner, possible public hearing, environmental review, and conditions of approval, and can take several months. Section 20.532.020 exempts certain activities from CDP requirements, including repair and maintenance that does not result in an addition to, or enlargement or expansion of, the structure (subject to the limits in Subchapter 7, Title 14 of the California Administrative Code). Because the County is rural and rules vary by zone and by inland-versus-coastal location, applicants should confirm permit needs with Planning and Building Services before building.