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.
Per the City of Richmond Planning Division's published Fence Permit - Residential Application Submittal Checklist citing Richmond Municipal Code Section 15.04.810.036, 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. A building permit (Chapter 6.02 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.
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.
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