Put Up Link Permit For Free

If you plan to build a fence taller than six feet (or four feet for front yard fences), you will need to apply for a permit.

A fence, not exceeding six feet in height, shall be permitted on the rear lot line and those linear portions of the side lot lines enclosing a rear yard; provided, however, that the six-foot fencing and its relationship to the street fronting upon the premises shall not exceed a greater distance frontward to the street ...

The Department of Buildings (DOB) regulates the building and installation of fences. Permanent or non temporary fences may require a permit. For one- and two-family dwellings, DOB does not require permits for fences 6-feet or less in height, and homeowners may their own fencing.

Even where you will be installing the fence within your own property makes a difference. A privacy fence in your backyard will often not require a permit unless it is to be over 6 feet tall, depending on where you live, while the cut-off for the same type of fence in your front yard may be just 3.5 feet.

Fences exceeding 6 feet require a permit and solid fencing exceeding 6 feet requires engineering.

Under California's Building Code, you must obtain a permit before building a fence that will be over 6 feet tall unless the top 2 feet of the fence will be barbed wire. For a front yard fence, the maximum height is 42 inches. For a backyard fence, the maximum height is 72 inches.

A permit is required when you are installing any type of fence. If a new fence is going to be installed in a side yard or front yard abutting a County maintained roadway, the permittee must contact the Right of Way Inspector.