Moreno Valley, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit-exempt fence height
- Up to 6 feet, any material
- Masonry/block wall exemption
- Under 3 feet from footing top
- Enforcing office
- Building Division, Community Dev. Dept.
- Application expires if inactive
- 180 days
- Correction period before fine
- 30 calendar days
- Late fine penalty
- 100% of fine, plus 8% interest/year
Summary
Moreno Valley exempts fences up to six feet from a building permit, but taller fences and most masonry or block walls need one. Municipal Code Section 8.20.070 amends the state Building Code's permit-exempt-work list to set the local height line, so anything above it goes through the Building Division.
Fences not over six (6) feet high, masonry concrete block walls under three (3) feet measured from top of footing, or combination masonry concrete block walls under three (3) feet measured from top of footing, with any approved building material wood, vinyl, wrought iron, chain link not exceeding six (6) feet in total height.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4887234; v10 updated 2026-04-07).
Full Breakdown
2 to exempt "fences not over six (6) feet high" of any approved material (wood, vinyl, wrought iron, chain link) from a building permit. Masonry or concrete block walls, and combination masonry/block walls, are exempt only if they stay under three feet measured from the top of the footing; taller block walls need a permit regardless of the six-foot fence line. 060). 080). 120). 140 apply to new structures generally but are not triggered by a fence alone.
Violations & Fines
Building without a required fence permit is enforced as a civil citation under Chapter 1.10. For a building violation the responsible person gets a 30 calendar day correction period before any fine attaches; if uncorrected, a second citation with a notice of failure to correct imposes the civil fine, with additional fines accruing daily until the violation is fixed (Section 1.10.050). Fines unpaid after 30 days carry a late payment penalty equal to 100% of the fine plus 8% annual interest (Section 1.10.080).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a 6-foot fence in Moreno Valley?
Does a permit-exempt masonry wall follow the same six-foot rule?
What happens if I build an over-height fence without a permit?
How long does a fence permit application stay open?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Moreno Valley
California rules heatmap·Compare Moreno Valley to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Fence Permit Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle fence permit requirements.