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Nevada County · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in Nevada County

County rule: in front and street side setbacks, solid fences are limited to 3 ft; open fences to 4 ft in residential districts. County rule: in rear and interior side setbacks, fences are limited to 6 ft, except open fences in rural districts.

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Key points

  • Front setbacks: County rule: in front and street side setbacks, solid fences are limited to 3 ft; open fences to 4 ft in residential districts.
  • Side and rear: County rule: in rear and interior side setbacks, fences are limited to 6 ft, except open fences in rural districts.

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

What Nevada County's code says

Nevada County code What Nevada County's code adds
Front yard height
  • Up to 4 feet.
    Applies: Open fence or hedge in front and street side setbacks, residential zones.
    § 12.04.106 · code text
    Residential | Front and street side | 4′ | 3′
  • Up to 3 feet.
    Applies: Solid fence in front and street side setbacks, residential zones.
    § 12.04.106 · code text
    Residential | Front and street side | 4′ | 3′
  • No height limit.
    Applies: Open fence or hedge in front and street side setbacks, rural zones.
    § 12.04.106 · code text
    Rural | Front and street side | no limit | 3′
  • Up to 3 feet.
    Applies: Solid fence in front and street side setbacks, rural zones.
    § 12.04.106 · code text
    Rural | Front and street side | no limit | 3′
Side and rear yard height
  • Up to 6 feet.
    Applies: Open or solid fence or hedge in rear and interior side setbacks, residential zones. In the RA zone, open fencing follows rural rules.
    § 12.04.106 · code text
    Residential (3) | Rear and interior side | 6′ | 6′
  • No height limit.
    Applies: Open fence or hedge in rear and interior side setbacks, rural zones.
    § 12.04.106 · code text
    Rural | Rear and interior side | no limit | 6′
  • Up to 6 feet.
    Applies: Solid fence in rear and interior side setbacks, rural zones.
    § 12.04.106 · code text
    Rural | Rear and interior side | no limit | 6′
Permit
  • Yes. A permit is needed for any fence or similar structure in a right-of-way.
    § 16.05.360 · code text
    No fence or similar structure, shall be planted, erected or maintained in a right-of-way without a permit.
  • A use permit is needed to go above the fence height limits.
    Applies: Only if needed to protect public health and safety, or to screen unsightly areas or uses.
    § 12.04.106 · code text
    Subject to the granting of a Use Permit, fencing may exceed the height maximums established by this Chapter if findings can be made that such an exception is needed for protection of the public health and safety or to shield unsightly areas or uses.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Nevada County?

County rule: in front and street side setbacks, solid fences are limited to 3 ft; open fences to 4 ft in residential districts. County rule: in rear and interior side setbacks, fences are limited to 6 ft, except open fences in rural districts.

General information, not legal advice.

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

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Nevada County Municipal Code — full text