How Tall of a Fence Can I Put in My Front Yard in Sacramento County?
If you’re thinking about upgrading your curb appeal or adding a touch of privacy, understanding the front yard fence rules in Sacramento County is essential before you start building.
The maximum height and style allowed change depending on your property’s zoning — usually RD (Residential), AG (Agricultural), or AR (Agricultural-Residential).
Front Yard Fence Rules by Zoning Type
Residential (RD) Zones (Most Homes)
In residential neighborhoods (RD zones), Sacramento County limits front yard fence height based on how open or solid the design is:
- Solid walls or fences: Up to 3 feet tall
- Chain link or woven fences: Up to 4 feet tall
- Open ornamental fences: Up to 7 feet tall (like wrought iron or decorative aluminum)
If you want to exceed these heights, you can apply for a Minor Use Permit through the Sacramento County Planning Department.
Agricultural (AG) and Agricultural-Residential (AR) Zones
Properties zoned AG or AR are allowed a maximum fence height of 7 feet in the front yard.
Fences taller than this may require a Minor Use Permit for approval.
Key Takeaway
Zoning | Maximum Height | Permit Needed? |
RD (Residential) Solid Fence | 3 ft | Over 3 ft = Minor Use Permit |
RD Chain Link/Woven | 4 ft | Over 4 ft = Minor Use Permit |
RD Open Ornamental | 7 ft | Over 7 ft = Minor Use Permit |
AG / AR | 7 ft | Over 7 ft = Minor Use Permit |
Corner Lots and Visibility Requirements
If your home sits on a corner, things get a little more complex. What you will need to consider is what is called the visibility triangle! These areas will have specific regulations about how tall fences can be depending on how well you can see through them.
While most cities call out exactly the triangle dimensions from the intersection, it gets a little more fuzzy when we looked into Sacramento County Regulations. The county zoning documents refer to “visibility requirements of the Sacramento County Improvement Standards” which calls for no more than 2.5 ft tall (30 inches), but don’t spell out the exact triangle dimensions in the public zoning documents.
Within the county each city can have their own zoning regulations that correspond to this. For example, the City of Sacramento corner lot intersection visibility triangle rules are much clearer. On corner lots, within a triangular area formed by the property lines (or tangents for rounded corners) with 25 ft along each leg from the intersection, nothing may be installed (signs, hedges, fences, etc.) higher than 3 ft 6 in (42 in) above the elevation of the center of the intersection.
Driveway and Alley Visibility Requirements
Fences near driveways or Alley intersections must follow visibility clearance standards under the County Improvement Standards.
In general – in Sacramento County, fences and other obstructions within visibility triangles of 10 feet x 10 feet at driveway and alley intersections must not exceed 30 inches in height as measured from the nearest pavement surface. This is to allow for greater visibility pulling in or backing out of a driveway or alley. As a general rule of thumb it is best to avoid putting fencing in this area at all if you can or make sure that the fencing style you pick complies with the details of the visibility rules for your city in Sacramento County.
The rules might be a simple as this:
Or more detailed like the visibility rules in Elk Grove:
Elk Grove: Visibility Control Standards Summary
Where to get more information
For specific regulations concerning your property
Sacramento County Planning and Environmental Review Division
- Email: sacplan@saccounty.gov
- Phone: 916-874-6444
Sacramento County Building Permits & Inspection Division
- Email: buildingpermits@SacCounty.gov
- Phone: 916-875-5296
Disclaimer: The information provided above reflects our best understanding of current fence height and visibility regulations as of today. Rules can vary by jurisdiction and may change over time. Property owners should always confirm the specific requirements for their project with their local city or county planning department and any applicable homeowners association (HOA) before installation.
Let’s Build Something Fantastic
Our team at Fantastic Fence builds durable, beautiful and affordable fences that check every box — design, safety, and code compliance.
Whether you need a new gate, a privacy upgrade, or a full replacement, we’ll help you build something fantastic!