Per the Monterey County Building & Planning Services FAQ, a building permit is NOT required for concrete/masonry fences not over 6 ft, wood/vinyl/metal fences not over 8 ft, and open metal fences not over 10 ft. A separate planning permit may still apply, and Design Control District parcels need Design Approval.
The County FAQ separates two questions: does a fence need a building (construction) permit, and does it need a planning approval? On the building side, the FAQ states permits are not required for "concrete and masonry fences not over 6 feet high, wood, vinyl and metal fences not more than 8 feet high and open metal fences not over 10 feet high." Above those thresholds a construction permit is required. The FAQ stresses that even when no building permit is needed, "zoning regulations may require you to obtain a planning permit," so applicants should contact the Planning Department at the Permit Center first. Two zoning overlays commonly add review: parcels in a Design Control District require a Design Approval application, and parcels in a high archaeological sensitivity zone may need an archaeological report. Coastal Zone parcels may additionally require a Coastal Development Permit under Title 20. HCD Planning is at 1441 Schilling Place, Salinas, (831) 755-5025.
Building a fence above the building-permit-exempt heights without a permit, or skipping a required planning/Design Approval, is a code violation. HCD Code Compliance can require permits after the fact, modification, or removal, with civil penalties for continued non-compliance.
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