Sonoma, CA Fence Regulations: Permit Requirements (2026)

Permit Sonoma administers fence permitting for the unincorporated county. Per the BPC-023 Fence Requirements handout, a building permit is required for all solid wood, concrete, metal and masonry fences exceeding seven feet (7') in height, and for all fences regardless of construction exceeding ten feet (10') in height. Fences up to 8 feet may use the county's approved standard design in lieu of an engineer's or architect's design; fences over 8 feet require professional structural design. Separate from the building permit, the zoning code uses a tiered framework adopted under Ordinance No. 6547 (File ORD25-0006) in December 2025. Under the PJR-133 Fence Guidelines: no zoning permit is needed for fences within by-right height limits (3 feet or less in front/street-side yards, 6 feet or less in side/rear yards, or 8 feet with an open/lattice top); solid fences from 3 to 6 feet in front/street-side yards, and fences in the Scenic Resources (SR) combining district, require Administrative Design Review; and exceptions to the height, location, material, or design standards require Design Review Committee approval or a use permit. A site plan showing fence location is required (form CSS-019). Always confirm your zoning district and any combining-district overlays with Permit Sonoma before starting work.