Riverside County, CA Privacy & Surveillance: Privacy Screening (2026)

Under the California Building Code as adopted by Riverside County, fences not exceeding 7 feet in height are exempt from building permits. However, the County Planning Division may require review for fences in front yard setbacks to ensure compliance with zoning regulations and sight-line requirements at intersections. Standard zoning in unincorporated Riverside County (Ordinance No. 348) typically allows: solid privacy fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards, and fences up to 42 inches (3.5 feet) in front yards, though open or semi-open fencing may be allowed up to 6 feet in some zones. Fences exceeding these heights require a variance or conditional use permit from the Planning Commission. Privacy fences installed specifically to screen swimming pools must comply with the California Building Code §3109 pool barrier requirements (at least 60 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates). Materials commonly used for privacy fences in Riverside County include wood, vinyl, composite, block wall (very common in desert communities), and wrought iron with privacy slats. Block walls are particularly popular in the Coachella Valley due to wind conditions. HOAs in planned communities may have additional restrictions on fence height, materials, and color.