Skip to content

Hanford · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in Hanford

In Hanford's residential zones, front-line fences are limited to 3 ft, or 4 ft if the top foot is at least 50% open. Hanford's residential zones limit fences along rear lot lines and interior side lines (from 10 ft behind the front line) to 7 ft.

Key points

  • Fence height: In Hanford's residential zones, front-line fences are limited to 3 ft, or 4 ft if the top foot is at least 50% open.
  • Rear and side fences: Hanford's residential zones limit fences along rear lot lines and interior side lines (from 10 ft behind the front line) to 7 ft.

Each rule below links to the section of the Hanford Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Hanford's code says

Hanford code What Hanford's code adds
Corner visibility
  • No more than 3 feet, or 4 feet if the top 1 foot is at least 50% open.
    Applies: For hedges, shrubs, fences and walls in the 25-foot corner sight triangle of a corner lot.
    § 17.50.110 · code text
    No hedge, shrub, fence, or wall exceeding the three feet in height, or four feet in height if the upper one foot is 50 percent or more open shall be planted, placed, or maintained within the 25 feet corner sight triangle of a corner lot,
Height anywhere on the lot
  • No more than 7 feet.
    Applies: R-L, R-M, R-H, OR, O and PF zones. Corner lot street side line, from 25 feet behind the front line; 5-foot setback on reverse corners.
    § 17.50.120 · code text
    On a corner lot along the street side lot line not exceeding seven feet in height beginning at 25 feet from the front lot line.
  • A 6-foot fence, placed 10 feet behind the front property line.
    Applies: In R-L, R-M, R-H, OR, O and PF zones, on a corner lot where the house faces the street side lot line.
    § 17.50.120 · code text
    On a corner lot when a residence is constructed with its front access facing the street side lot line of a corner lot, a six foot high fence is to be placed 10 feet behind the front property line.
Front yard height
  • No more than 3 feet along a front lot line.
    Applies: In R-L, R-M, R-H, OR, O and PF zones.
    § 17.50.120 · code text
    Along a front lot line not exceeding three feet in height;
  • No more than 4 feet along a front lot line.
    Applies: In R-L, R-M, R-H, OR, O and PF zones, only when the top 1 foot is at least 50% open.
    § 17.50.120 · code text
    Along a front lot line not exceeding four feet in height when the upper one foot is 50 percent or more open;
  • A 6-foot fence or wall may be in the front setback area.
    Applies: In R-L, R-M, R-H, OR, O and PF zones, only when set back 10 feet from the front lot line.
    § 17.50.120 · code text
    A six-foot fence or wall may be located in a front building setback area when set back 10 feet from the front lot line.
Side and rear yard height
  • No more than 7 feet along a rear lot line.
    Applies: In R-L, R-M, R-H, OR, O and PF zones.
    § 17.50.120 · code text
    Along a rear lot line not exceeding seven feet in height;
  • No more than 7 feet along an interior side lot line.
    Applies: In R-L, R-M, R-H, OR, O and PF zones, starting 10 feet from the front lot line.
    § 17.50.120 · code text
    Along an interior side lot line not exceeding seven feet in height beginning at 10 feet from the front lot line;
Permit
  • Yes, a building permit and engineered footings for a masonry fence over 3 feet high.
    Applies: For masonry fences.
    § 17.50.110 · code text
    A masonry fence exceeding three feet in height shall require engineered footings and a building permit.
  • Yes, a building permit and engineered post footings for fencing over 7 feet high.
    Applies: For all fencing other than masonry fences.
    § 17.50.110 · code text
    All other fencing exceeding seven feet in height shall require engineered post footings and a building permit.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Hanford?

In Hanford's residential zones, front-line fences are limited to 3 ft, or 4 ft if the top foot is at least 50% open. Hanford's residential zones limit fences along rear lot lines and interior side lines (from 10 ft behind the front line) to 7 ft.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Hanford property

Ask GoCodebook how Hanford's fences and walls rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Hanford