Oroville · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in Oroville

Residential fences: at most 42 inches in front setbacks, 7 feet in interior side and rear yards; over 7 feet needs a building permit.

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Key points

Fence heights: Residential fences: at most 42 inches in front setbacks, 7 feet in interior side and rear yards; over 7 feet needs a building permit.

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

What Oroville's code says

Oroville code What Oroville's code adds
Corner visibility	Up to 42 inches. Applies: In the sight distance area at an intersection, only for open fences no more than 50% solid. Over 30 inches needs a development review permit. § 17.12.020 · code text Fences may be erected up to 42 inches in height within the sight distance area provided that the fence is an open fence that is no more than 50% solid. No more than 30 inches. Applies: In residential districts, within a controlled vision triangle at an intersection. § 17.12.020 · code text Within a controlled area vision triangle \| 30 inches [4]
Height anywhere on the lot	No more than 7 feet. Applies: Residential districts: interior side and rear yards and outside required setbacks. 42 inches in front and street side setbacks. Higher with a building permit. § 17.12.020 · code text If a retaining wall is combined with a fence or wall, the combined height may reach a maximum height of 11 feet above grade (7 foot maximum fence with a 4 foot maximum retaining wall) along the streetside and rear property lines without a building permit, as shown in Figure 17.12.020-2. No more than 11 feet combined: a fence up to 7 feet on a retaining wall up to 4 feet. Applies: Along street side and rear property lines. No building permit is needed. § 17.12.020 · code text If a retaining wall is combined with a fence or wall, the combined height may reach a maximum height of 11 feet above grade (7 foot maximum fence with a 4 foot maximum retaining wall) along the streetside and rear property lines without a building permit, as shown in Figure 17.12.020-2. No more than 10 feet high. Applies: In residential districts, only for a decorative arch, trellis or entry feature along a street, no more than 10 feet wide. § 17.12.020 · code text The decorative features shall be limited to 10 feet in width and 10 feet in height.
Front yard height	No more than 42 inches. Applies: In residential districts, within the required front yard setback. § 17.12.020 · code text Within required front yard setback \| 42 inches [1] Up to 7 feet. Applies: Residential districts, outside the required front yard or at the building's front façade, whichever is less. Not in the Downtown Historic Overlay. § 17.12.020 · code text Height can be increased above 42 inches to a maximum height of 7 feet if constructed outside of the required front yard or at the point equal to the building's front façade, whichever is less. No more than 42 inches anywhere in the front yard. Applies: For properties in the Downtown Historic Overlay (DH-O), from the front property line to the building's front façade. § 17.12.020 · code text For properties within the Downtown Historic Overlay (DH-O), the fence height shall not exceed 42 inches anywhere in the front yard.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 7 feet. Applies: In residential districts, within the interior side or rear yard setback. Higher with a building permit. § 17.12.020 · code text Within interior side or rear yard setback \| 7 feet [2]
Permit	Yes, a building permit for any fence or wall over 7 feet. Applies: In residential districts. § 17.12.020 · code text Height can be increased above 7 feet with a building permit. Yes, a development review permit for fences over 30 inches, up to 42 inches. Applies: Within the sight distance area, with planning division review and approval. § 17.12.020 · code text Fences over 30 inches in height, to a maximum height of 42 inches, within the sight distance area shall require administrative review and approval by the planning division through a development review permit No building permit is needed. Applies: For a fence on a retaining wall along street side and rear property lines, up to 11 feet combined. § 17.12.020 · code text the combined height may reach a maximum height of 11 feet above grade (7 foot maximum fence with a 4 foot maximum retaining wall) along the streetside and rear property lines without a building permit

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Oroville?

Residential fences: at most 42 inches in front setbacks, 7 feet in interior side and rear yards; over 7 feet needs a building permit.

General information, not legal advice.

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Oroville Municipal Code — full text