Oxnard Permit Requirements Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Oxnard Municipal Code Sections 16-308 through 16-310 establish the zoning framework governing fence placement, height, and materials throughout the city. These sections work alongside the California Building Code as locally adopted to determine when a building permit is required. For most standard residential fence projects — a wood privacy fence or chain-link fence in a side or rear yard that does not exceed 6 feet in height — no building permit is required, but the fence must still comply with all applicable zoning requirements for height and location before the owner proceeds with construction. Confirming zoning compliance in advance is strongly recommended; after-the-fact corrections to non-compliant fences carry additional fees and potential enforcement action.

Masonry construction introduces additional requirements. Concrete block, brick, stucco-over-block, and similar masonry walls over 3 feet in exposed height (measured from the lowest adjacent finished grade) require a building permit application supported by engineered structural drawings stamped by a licensed California structural engineer. The structural drawings must demonstrate that the wall footing and reinforcement are adequate for Oxnard's seismic zone. Any fence or wall of any material — including wood, vinyl, wrought iron, or masonry — that exceeds 6 feet in height requires a full building permit from the Building and Safety Division. This height is measured from the lowest adjacent finished grade, so a fence sitting atop a retaining wall may require a permit even if the fence itself is under 6 feet tall, depending on how the combined height is measured.

Oxnard does not require fences to be constructed along property lines in any particular location, but placement near or on a property line has legal implications involving the adjoining neighbor that are governed by California Civil Code Section 841. Property owners are strongly encouraged to confirm the exact location of their property boundary — ideally through a licensed land surveyor — before installing any fence intended to sit on or near the boundary line. Fences must not obstruct sight triangles at driveways, alleys, or intersections as determined by the City Engineer. Barbed wire, razor wire, and electrically charged fencing are prohibited on residential properties. Contact the Oxnard Building and Safety Division at (805) 385-7925 or the Planning Division at (805) 385-7858 for pre-application guidance.