Fences and walls in Sonoma County: the local rules

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

What Sonoma County's code says

Sonoma County code What Sonoma County's code adds
Corner visibility	Over 3 feet needs a use permit within 15 feet of street corners or in corner-lot exterior side yards. Applies: Noncoastal zoning; AR, RR, R1, R2, R3 or K districts. § 26-88-030 · code text (a) In an AR, RR, R1, R2, R3 or K district, no fence shall hereinafter be constructed to exceed six feet (6′) in height within any required side yard to the rear of the front line of any dwelling, or along any rear property line, nor to exceed three feet (3′) in height within any required front yard nor within fifteen feet (15′) of the street corner nor within any required exterior side yard on any corner lot, without first securing a use permit in each case. Over 3 feet needs a use permit within 15 feet of street corners or in corner-lot exterior side yards. Applies: Coastal zoning; AR, RR, R1, R2 or PC districts. § 26C-322 · code text (a) In an AR, RR, R1, R2, or PC district, no fence shall hereinafter be constructed to exceed six feet (6′) in height within any required side yard to the rear of the front line of any dwelling, or along any rear property line, nor to exceed three feet (3′) in height within any required front yard nor within fifteen feet (15′) of the street corner nor within any required exterior side yard on any corner lot, without first securing a use permit in each case.
Permit	Use permit above 6 feet on rear lines or side yards behind the home; above 3 feet in front yards. Applies: Noncoastal AR, RR, R1, R2, R3 or K districts; 3-foot limit also within 15 feet of street corners and corner-lot exterior side yards. § 26-88-030 · code text (a) In an AR, RR, R1, R2, R3 or K district, no fence shall hereinafter be constructed to exceed six feet (6′) in height within any required side yard to the rear of the front line of any dwelling, or along any rear property line, nor to exceed three feet (3′) in height within any required front yard nor within fifteen feet (15′) of the street corner nor within any required exterior side yard on any corner lot, without first securing a use permit in each case. Use permit above 6 feet on rear lines or side yards behind the home; above 3 feet in front yards. Applies: Coastal AR, RR, R1, R2 or PC districts; 3-foot limit also within 15 feet of street corners and corner-lot exterior side yards. § 26C-322 · code text (a) In an AR, RR, R1, R2, or PC district, no fence shall hereinafter be constructed to exceed six feet (6′) in height within any required side yard to the rear of the front line of any dwelling, or along any rear property line, nor to exceed three feet (3′) in height within any required front yard nor within fifteen feet (15′) of the street corner nor within any required exterior side yard on any corner lot, without first securing a use permit in each case.

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How tall can a fence be in Sonoma County?

Listed zones: use permit for fences over 3 feet in front yards or near corners, over 6 feet in side or rear yards.

Fences and walls in Sonoma County

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What Sonoma County's code says

Who this affects

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