Madera County adopts the California Building Code through County Code Title 14 (Chapters 14.04 and 14.08). Under the adopted Building Code (Section 105.2), a building permit is not required for fences 7 feet or less in height. Taller fences, and any fence in a regulated location, require review by the County.
Building standards in unincorporated Madera County are set by County Code Title 14 (Building Code). Section 14.04.030 adopts the current edition of the California Building Standards Code, including the California Building Code, and Chapter 14.08 adopts and amends that Building Code locally. The California Building Code's permit-exemption list (Section 105.2) exempts 'fences not over 7 feet high' (other than swimming pool barriers) from a building permit, so most residential and agricultural fences in Madera County do not need a building permit. A fence taller than 7 feet requires a building permit from the County's Building Division. Separately, the County's Zoning Ordinance (Title 18) controls where structures-including fences-may be placed relative to setback and vision-clearance areas (Sections 18.98.030-18.98.050). Even when no building permit is required, the fence must still comply with these zoning location rules and any applicable rural/SRA fire-clearance standards. Contact Madera County Planning and Building Services at 200 W. 4th Street, Madera, to confirm requirements for a specific parcel and zone.
Building without a required permit subjects the work to stop-work orders and reinstatement fees under the adopted California Building Code, and to nuisance/abatement action under Title 18, Chapter 18.112 and the general penalties of Chapter 1.12. Pool-barrier fencing is regulated separately and more strictly under state law.
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