Union City, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 18.52.050 Zoning Permits
- Reviewing office
- Community Development Director
- By-right fence
- No permit if within § 18.32.040 limits
- Violation class
- Infraction, misdemeanor after 3rd offense
Summary
Before Union City issues any permit touching a fence, the Community Development Director must confirm the project meets Title 18 zoning rules, including the height and material limits in Section 18.32.040.
Except as hereinafter provided, no permit or business license pertaining to the use of land or buildings shall be issued by an officer, department or employee of this City unless the application for such permit has been examined by the Office of the Director and it has been indicated thereon that the proposed use of land, building or structure complies with all the provisions of this title. Any permit or business license issued in conflict with the provisions of this title shall be null and void. Every application for a building permit shall be accompanied by:
A. A certificate of survey in triplicate of the piece or parcel of land, lot, lots, blocks or block, or parts or portions thereof, drawn to scale showing the actual dimensions and certified by a registered civil engineer or registered land surveyor as a true copy of the piece or parcel, lot, lots, block or blocks, or parts or portions thereof, according to the registered or recorded plot of such land; and
B. A plat, in duplicate, drawn to scale in such form as may, from time to time, be prescribed by the Director, showing the ground area, height and bulk of the building or structure, the building lines in relation to lot lines, the use to be made of the building or structure or land, and such other information as may be required by the Director for the proper enforcement of this title.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940544; v16 updated 2026-06-23).
Full Breakdown
Union City Municipal Code Section 18.52.050 bars city staff from issuing any permit or license affecting the use of land or buildings until the Director of Community Development has examined the application and confirmed it complies with Title 18, the zoning code. For a fence, that means the plans must satisfy the height, yard-location, and material standards in Section 18.32.040 before a permit can move forward; a fence built entirely within those by-right limits needs no separate use permit or site development review.
Violations & Fines
Building or altering a fence without the required compliance check, or beyond permitted height, is a zoning violation. Union City typically cites zoning violations as infractions under Section 1.16.020; a third violation of the same section can be charged as a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and six months in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a 6-foot backyard fence in Union City?
Who checks fence plans before a permit is issued in Union City?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
California rules heatmap·Compare Union City to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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Fence Permit Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle fence permit requirements.