Pismo Beach, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

The Pismo Beach Municipal Code prints two zoning codes under Title 17, and each treats fences differently.

1998 Zoning Code, Section 17.24.060. Subsection A says fences and walls require site plan and architectural review under Section 17.42.030 unless exempted from land use permit requirements by subsection B. Subsection B exempts wood, wrought iron, chain link and similar fences, and concrete, concrete block, brick and other masonry walls, when the height measured from existing grade does not exceed forty-two inches within a front setback or street side setback, or six feet outside a front or street side setback. Blufftop fences are carved out of the exemption. Subsection E bars fences in bluff retreat setbacks except in the RSL district, where a fence is capped at forty-two inches, must be ninety percent transparent, and needs a site-specific geologic study by a registered geologist. Hedges within a front yard setback are limited to forty-two inches under subsection C. Under Section 17.42.030(E), site plan and architectural review in the RSL or RSM districts needs no public notice or hearing unless the project is in the CA (Coastal Appeal) district, and under 17.42.030(G) an approval becomes void if the project is not commenced within two years.

1983 Zoning Ordinance, Section 17.102.120. Fences, hedges and walls up to six feet may be permitted in required rear yards and interior side yards. No solid fence, hedge or wall over forty-two inches is permitted in any front yard or on the street side of a corner lot. Open fences over six feet enclosing tennis courts on the rear half of a lot need planning commission approval with an architectural review permit. Fences in required bluff setback areas cannot exceed forty-two inches and must secure a coastal development permit.

The building code is a third layer: Section 15.08.010(H) exempts fences not over 6 feet high from a building permit.

Pismo Beach uses two adopted zoning codes. The city's Zoning and Land Use page states that properties inside the Coastal Zone are regulated by the 1983 Zoning Code, and properties outside the Coastal Zone are regulated by the 1998 Zoning Code.