Rancho Cucamonga fence rules and permits

A plain-English guide for Rancho Cucamonga, California homeowners. Always confirm with the city before work starts. Rules change.

Do you need a permit?

Depends. New fences and walls go through site development review unless an exemption applies. Residential fences that follow the city's height and material rules are exempt. A building permit is required for a fence taller than 6 feet, for any concrete or masonry wall or pilasters taller than 3 feet, and for retaining walls 3 feet or taller.

Who to ask: Rancho Cucamonga Building & Safety, 909-477-2710. Planning Department, 909-774-4330. (website)

The rules

• In the front yard, solid fences and walls cannot be taller than 3 feet. Open fencing like wrought iron or picket can go to 6 feet. Solid and open can be combined up to 6 feet.
• In side and rear yards, fences and walls up to 6 feet are allowed.
• On the street side of a corner lot, new fences and walls up to 6 feet must be set back at least 5 feet from the property line.
• At street corners, keep a clear visibility triangle with sides 20 feet long along each curb. At driveway or alley corners, the triangle has 10 foot sides. Nothing in it can be over 3 feet.
• Chain link is not allowed for screening or privacy in any zone, even with slats, plastic sheeting or privacy mesh.
• Privacy fences and gates must be solid wood with steel frames, solid vinyl, tubular steel or wrought iron. Tubular steel and wrought iron must be backed by painted metal sheeting.
• Walls around the edge of a new residential development must be decorative block, such as split-face or fluted block, or block with stucco or stackstone.
• The height limit can be raised by up to 2 feet through a Minor Exception from Planning. Neighbors are notified and there is a 10-day comment period.

Call before you dig

DigAlert (Southern California 811): dial 811. call at least 2 working days before digging, and no more than 14 calendar days ahead

Local conditions

Rancho Cucamonga has hot summers and mild winters. It gets about 17.7 inches of rain a year and about 287 sunny days.

• Strong sun and dry heat fade and dry out wood and vinyl. Sealing and quality finishes help.
• The city sits just south of the San Gabriel foothills. Hillside lots often need retaining walls, and the city limits retaining walls to 4 feet with 3 feet between stepped walls.
• Graffiti-resistant surfaces are required on fences and walls next to a public right of way and in residential zones.
• Post depth and soil: ask your contractor and Building & Safety.

Good to know

• Rancho Cucamonga was incorporated November 30, 1977, when Alta Loma, Cucamonga and Etiwanda voted to form one city.
• The 2020 census counted 174,453 people, making it the 28th largest city in California.
• Elevation is about 1,207 feet. The city averages about 17.68 inches of rain a year and about 287 sunny days.
• Fences and walls are measured from the finished grade at the base to the top. Where lots sit at different levels, height is measured at the midpoint of the retaining wall on the lower side.
• Pools and spas must be enclosed per the building code, and the city's pool handout lists a minimum 60 inch barrier.
• Development Code Chapter 17.48 covers fences, walls and screening.