Ventura Permit Requirements Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

The City of Ventura's Zoning Ordinance, codified in the San Buenaventura Municipal Code, establishes the framework governing fences and walls throughout the city, setting maximum heights based on yard location, proximity to streets, and zoning district. These zoning rules work in conjunction with the California Building Code as locally adopted to determine when a building permit is required. For most residential fence projects — a standard wood or vinyl privacy fence in a side or rear yard that does not exceed 6 feet in height — no building permit is required from the Building & Safety Division. However, every fence must still conform to all applicable Zoning Ordinance height and location standards before construction begins. Homeowners who install a fence later found to violate the Zoning Ordinance may be required to modify or remove it at their own expense and may face administrative penalties. Contacting the Building & Safety Division or the Planning Division before breaking ground is the most reliable way to avoid costly corrections.

Masonry construction carries elevated requirements. Concrete block, brick, stone, and stucco-over-block walls exceeding 3 feet in exposed height — measured from the lowest adjacent finished grade — require a building permit accompanied by engineered structural drawings stamped by a California-licensed structural engineer. The engineering must confirm that footings and reinforcement are adequate for the seismic design category applicable to the City of Ventura. Any fence or wall of any material — wood, wrought iron, aluminum, vinyl, or masonry — that exceeds 6 feet in height requires a full building permit regardless of material type. Height is measured from the lowest adjacent finished grade, meaning a fence installed atop a retaining wall may require a permit based on the combined height even if the fence structure itself measures under 6 feet.

Ventura does not mandate a minimum setback from the property line for fences, but fences placed along or near a common boundary carry legal implications governed by California Civil Code Section 841. Owners are encouraged to confirm the precise property boundary — ideally through a California-licensed land surveyor — before installing any fence intended to sit on or near the property line. Barbed wire and electrically charged fencing are prohibited on residential properties. Sight triangle clearance at driveways and street intersections must be maintained per City Engineer standards. For pre-application questions, contact Ventura Building & Safety at (805) 654-7869 or the Planning Division at (805) 654-7893.