San Benito County, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Compliant fences
- Zoning clearance only
- Non-compliant fences
- Minor development review required
- Process type
- Nondiscretionary administrative check
- Scope
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Fences built to unincorporated San Benito County's standard height and material rules skip discretionary development review, but the Planning Division still requires a nondiscretionary zoning clearance before construction begins.
Fences and walls: • Retaining walls less than 36 inches in height. • Fences located on residential or agricultural property constructed in compliance with the standards of this section • Fences and walls required by a state or federal agency, or by the County for public safety.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated San Benito County's development review table, Table 25.02-A under § 25.02.001, lists fences and walls as exempt from minor and major development plan review when they sit on residential or agricultural property and comply with the height and material standards in § 25.07.013: along with retaining walls under 36 inches and fencing required by a state, federal, or county safety mandate. That exemption does not mean no paperwork: § 25.02.011 defines zoning clearance as the nondiscretionary check the Planning Director uses to confirm a fence matches the applicable zone's standards before it goes up, and the same section requires a zoning clearance application and fee.
Violations & Fines
Fences that don't meet the height, material, or location standards in § 25.07.013 lose the zoning-clearance exemption and must go through minor development plan review before construction, per Table 25.02-A.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in unincorporated San Benito County?
What if my fence doesn't meet the standard rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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