Richmond, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Planning permit
- Required for ALL residential fences regardless of height
- Building permit
- Required for fences 6 ft or taller (Chapter 6.02; CCR Title 24)
- Over-the-counter permit
- Available for fences at or below basic heights
- Contractor license
- California B-1, C13, C23, C27, C28, or C29
- Application submittals
- Application form, fee, site plan, design drawings
- Planning Division phone
- (510) 620-6706
Summary
Richmond requires a Planning Department permit for every residential fence regardless of height, plus a separate building permit for any fence 6 feet or taller. Contractors must hold an appropriate California license.
Permits are required to construct a residential fence of any height. Residential fence requirements are listed in Richmond Municipal Code Section 15.04.810.036. Permits for fences under the maximum basic heights, below, can be obtained over-the-counter. A fence permit is required to construct any fence of any height. A building permit (Chapter 6.02 and California Code of Regulations, Title 24) is required to construct any fence 6 feet or more in height. When a fence is constructed by a contractor, that contractor shall be licensed by the State of California in a category appropriate for the type of fencing, including B-1, C13, C23, C27, C28 or C29. Submittal materials include: Planning Application Form; Planning Review Fee; Site Plan showing property lines with dimensions, footprints and dimensions for all existing structures, location of all driveways, location, type, material and height of all existing and proposed fences and gates, and location, dimension and purpose of all existing easements; Design Drawings illustrating the design of the proposed fences.
Full Breakdown
036, a planning permit is required to construct a residential fence of any height. Permits for fences at or below the maximum basic heights (4 ft front, 6 ft side/rear, 3'-6" sight triangle) can be obtained over the counter. Fences exceeding the basic heights require Zoning Administrator review. 02 and California Code of Regulations, Title 24) is additionally required for any fence 6 feet or more in height. When a fence is constructed by a contractor, that contractor shall be licensed by the State of California in a category appropriate for the type of fencing, including B-1, C13, C23, C27, C28 or C29.
Applications must include a planning application form, planning review fee, a site plan showing property lines, structures, driveways, easements and fence locations/materials/heights, and design drawings for the proposed fences. The Planning Division can be reached at (510) 620-6706.
Violations & Fines
Building a fence without the required planning permit, or a fence over 6 feet without a building permit, can result in stop-work orders, code enforcement citations, fines, and orders to obtain after-the-fact permits or remove the fence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a 3-foot fence in Richmond?
Do I need a building permit too?
Can I hire any handyman to build my fence?
Where do I apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richmond
California rules heatmap·Compare Richmond to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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Fence Permit Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle fence permit requirements.