National City, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

Chapter 18.43 of the Land Use Code (Title 18) is National City's fence chapter, and its permit language is narrow. Section 18.43.040(A)(2) says all masonry walls shall conform to the requirements of the California Building Code, and all masonry walls require a building permit. The same subsection sets material and maintenance rules that apply to every fence: new or good used material, kept in good repair, with dilapidated, dangerous or unsightly fences or walls removed or repaired. Wood fencing must use pressure-treated wood posts set in concrete footings, and vinyl fencing is permitted. Chain link of minimum nine-gauge wire with a three and one-half inch by five-inch mesh and redwood slats can be used in screening residential or industrial areas. The chapter prints no permit sentence for wood, vinyl or chain link fences.

Several fence types need a discretionary approval instead. Section 18.43.090 makes special fences subject to review and approval by the planning division, and staff can impose conditions such as neighbor notification, setbacks and landscape screening. The list includes recreation area fences, security fences, swimming pool fences, wood fence posts wider or deeper than 8 inches, front yard posts with more than two attached lights, gates wider than 4 feet for pedestrians or 14 feet for driveways, and chain link in residential side and rear yards with vinyl coating and landscape screening. Swimming pool fences are governed by Chapter 15.40 and need building official approval.

Section 18.43.080 lets the planning division, with site plan approval, allow view-obscuring fences to have visual openings for security surveillance. Openings cannot exceed 24 inches in width and together cannot exceed 15 percent of the linear length of the fence along any side of an enclosed area. On the chief of police's recommendation, the planning or building division can require such openings.

Outside Title 18, Section 15.08.030 amends the California Building Code's list of work exempt from permit so that permits for retaining walls are as specified in Chapter 15.70, and Section 15.24.020 bars electric fences in National City. Barbed wire, electrified, concertina and razor wire fencing is barred in residential and commercial zones by Section 18.43.060.