Selma, CA Fence Regulations: Permit Requirements (2026)

The California Building Code Section 105.2 provides a general exemption from building permits for fences that do not exceed 7 feet in height, measured from the finished grade at the base of the fence to the top of the fence. In practice, this means that the vast majority of residential fences in Selma, which are typically six feet or less in side and rear yards and under four feet in front yards, can be installed without obtaining a building permit from the Selma Building Division. This exemption covers wood privacy fences, vinyl panel fences, chain-link fences, wrought iron fences, and similar standard residential fencing installations. However, the permit exemption applies specifically to the building permit requirement and does not exempt the fence from compliance with the zoning code standards established in SMC 11-20-14, including height limits, setback requirements, and material restrictions. A fence that is permit-exempt but violates the zoning code is still subject to code enforcement action. Several categories of fence and wall construction require building permits regardless of height. Masonry block walls and concrete walls require structural review because of the engineering considerations involved in ensuring they can withstand lateral loads from wind, seismic forces, and retained earth. Retaining walls that retain more than 4 feet of unbalanced fill, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, require a building permit and typically must be designed by a licensed engineer. Any fence or wall that exceeds 7 feet in height, including screening walls for outdoor storage, requires a building permit and zoning review. The required six-foot solid masonry fence wall at the interface between commercial, manufacturing, or R-O zones and adjacent residential areas is a development standard that applies to the developer or property owner who is developing the commercial or industrial property. This wall serves as a noise and visual buffer between incompatible land uses and must be constructed of solid masonry materials that provide effective sound attenuation. The developer is responsible for installing this wall at the time of construction, and its absence or non-compliance can result in stop-work orders on the associated development project. Barbed wire may be added to the top of fences in commercial and industrial districts, limited to four single strands, but requires no additional permit beyond the fence permit itself. Concertina or razor wire is permitted only in industrial zones. Both barbed and razor wire are strictly prohibited in residential areas, and installation in a residential zone results in code enforcement citation and required removal. Fence modifications or installations in areas near Highway 99 or along the Highway 99 frontage may require review by the Planning Commission, particularly where the fence affects the visual character of the corridor or involves deviations from standard development standards. Property owners should contact the Selma Community Development Department before beginning any fence project that involves masonry construction, retaining walls, heights exceeding 6 feet, or properties adjacent to commercial or industrial zones.