Chapter 83.06 — FENCES, HEDGES, AND WALLS

San Bernardino County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Bernardino County

§ 83.06.010 Purpose. ¶

The purpose of this Chapter is to establish requirements for fences, hedges, and walls to ensure that these elements do not unnecessarily block views and sunlight; provide adequate buffering between different land uses; provide screening of outdoor uses and equipment; and provide for the mitigation of noise. These requirements are designed to provide aesthetic enhancement of the County.

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

§ 83.06.020 Applicability. ¶

The provisions of this Chapter apply to all fences, hedges, and walls unless otherwise stated. These regulations do not apply to fences or walls required by regulations of a State or Federal agency, or by the County for reasons of public safety, or to retaining walls which are regulated by § 83.02.070 (Setback Regulations and Exceptions). (Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

§ 83.06.030 General Height Limitations. ¶

Fences, hedges, and walls may be erected/maintained within required setback areas to the heights identified in Table 83-6, below. See also Figure 83-5.

Table 83-6

*Table 83-6*

*Maximum Height of Fences, Hedges, and Walls Within Setbacks*
*Land Use Zoning Districts*	*Maximum Height in Setbacks(1)*

	*Table 83-6*
*Maximum Height of Fences, Hedges, and Walls Within Setbacks*
*Land Use Zoning Districts*		*Maximum Height in Setbacks(1)*
	*Front*	*Street Side*	*Interior Side*	*Rear*
Commercial land use zoning districts(2)	4 ft.	4 ft.	10 ft.	10 ft.
Industrial land use zoning districts(2)	6 ft.	6 ft.	10 ft.	10 ft.
All other land use zoning districts	4 ft.	4 ft.	6 ft.	6 ft.
Notes:
(1) Fence heights in excess of these standards may be allowed by an approved Use Permit, Variance, Tract or Parcel Map or when required by the County for reasons of the health and safety of the general public. In the RC and RL land use zoning districts, open fences may go up to a maximum of 5 feet in the front setbacks and street side setbacks.
(2) Projects adjacent to residential districts shall use the standard of “All other		land use zoning district.”

Figure 83-5 Allowed Fence Height in Residential Land Use Zoning Districts

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

§ 83.06.040 Measurement of Fence or Wall Height. ¶

(a) The height of a fence or wall shall be measured from the finished grade at the location in which the fence or wall is to be located.

(b) Where there is a difference in the ground level between two adjacent parcels, the height of a fence or wall constructed along the property line shall be determined by using the finish grade of the lowest contiguous parcel. (Ord. 4011, passed - -2007; Am. Ord. 4043, passed - -2008)

§ 83.06.050 Walls Required Between Different Land Use Zoning Districts. ¶

Walls shall be provided and maintained between different land use zoning districts in the following manner:

(a) Nonresidential or Multi-Family. Where a nonresidential land use district abuts property in any residential land use zoning district or a Multiple Residential Land Use Zoning District abuts property in a Single Residential Land Use Zoning District, a solid masonry wall shall be constructed on the land use zoning district boundary line consistent with the height limitations contained in Table 83-6. If a public right-of-way separates a nonresidential district from any residential district or multi-family residential district from a Single Residential Land Use Zoning District, this wall requirement may not apply. Also, this requirement shall not apply to the Rural Commercial (CR) Land Use Zoning District in the Desert Region.

(b) Industrial. Where an industrial land use zoning district abuts property in a non-industrial land use zoning district, a solid masonry wall, a minimum of six feet in height, shall be constructed on the land use zoning district boundary line.

(c) Design and Construction. Walls shall be of solid masonry construction and shall be of a decorative design when in view of public rights-of-way subject to the approval of the Director.

(d) Modification of Requirements. The Director may waive or modify requirements for walls between different land use zoning districts where a solid masonry wall already exists on the abutting property if the following findings can be made in a positive manner:

(1) The existing wall meets, or would be modified to conform to, the intent of this Chapter.
(2) Suitable landscaping would be installed adjacent to the existing wall to supplement and enhance the desired physical separation.
(3) The existing wall would be protected to prevent vehicle damage, if necessary.

(4) Concurrence of the abutting property owner(s) would be obtained, to modify the existing wall to meet the requirements of this Chapter.

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

§ 83.06.060 Special Wall and Fencing Requirements. ¶

(a) Swimming Pools, Spas, and Similar Features. Swimming pools, spas, and other similar features shall be fenced in compliance with the California Building Code.

(b) Outdoor Equipment, Storage, and Work Areas. Screening of outdoor uses and equipment and activities shall be provided in compliance with § 83.02.060 (Screening and Buffering).

(c) Temporary Fencing. Temporary fencing may be necessary to protect archaeological or historic resources and/or trees during site preparation and construction. Temporary fencing for these purposes shall be subject to the approval of the Director.

(d) Walls along Rights-of-way.
(1) Walls shall be constructed of decorative concrete or masonry materials up to six feet in height.

(2) Aesthetic appeal as well as structural integrity shall be considered when designing the wall.

(3) The design shall include an appropriate mix of materials and landscaping subject to the approval of the Director.

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

§ 83.06.070 Prohibited Fence Materials. ¶

(a) Chain Link Fencing. Permanent chain link fencing or similar materials (chicken wire, hog fencing, etc.) is prohibited in residential land use zoning districts in the Valley Region, except in those cases where it is not visible from the public right-of-way or where the fence does not extend in front of the primary structure and is camouflaged to the greatest extent possible with plantings or similar shrouding, and except in those cases where the use is adjacent to public rights-of-way in commercial and industrial zoning districts. Chain link fencing shall be allowed for temporary uses. In the Mountain Region, chain link fencing will be allowed when used in conjunction with other fencing materials (i.e., split-rail fencing) and when camouflaged to the greatest extent possible. In the Desert Region, the prohibition against chain link fencing will not apply.

(b) Barbed Wire/Razor Wire Fencing. Barbed wire and razor wire fencing shall be prohibited in residential land use zoning districts or adjacent to public rights-of-way in commercial and industrial zoning districts. Barbed wire, razor wire, or other sharp pointed material may only be used in the construction of a fence if it is at least six feet above ground level.

(d) Electrified Fencing. The use of electrified fencing or wires in conjunction with any fence, wall, roof, hedge, or by itself along the property lines of a parcel within any land use zoning district is prohibited unless required by the law or a regulation of the city, the County, the State, Federal Government, agency, or as a condition of approval. The fencing may be allowed within the interior of a parcel if buffered from other properties by a separate barrier. (Ord. 4011, passed - -2007; Am. Ord. 4043, passed - -2008)

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