Fence Permit requirements across California
By Mario Bailey Last verified 2026-06-17
Requirements and size thresholds for fence permits vary by locality. The table below compares what each California county or city requires. Always confirm with the local office before starting.
| Locality | Permit required? | Typical threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Conditional | masonry or concrete fence exceeding 3 ft 6 in height requires a permit; non-masonry fence requires a permit only if it exceeds 10 ft in height |
| Sacramento | Conditional | fence over 7 feet in height requires a building permit |
| San Diego | Conditional | fence over 7 feet in height requires a building permit |
| San Jose | Conditional | fence over 7 feet in rear or side yard or over 3 feet in front yard requires a permit |