Dunsmuir · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in Dunsmuir

Dunsmuir requires a fence permit and limits fences to 4 feet in the front setback and 6 feet in rear and side setbacks.

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Key points

Fence height: Dunsmuir requires a fence permit and limits fences to 4 feet in the front setback and 6 feet in rear and side setbacks.

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

What Dunsmuir's code says

Dunsmuir code What Dunsmuir's code adds
Corner visibility	Nothing over 3 feet in the triangle 25 feet along each street or 10 feet along each alley. Applies: Fences, hedges, walls or similar screening at the street intersection of a corner lot. § 17.92.120 · code text the street intersection of a corner lot shall have no fence, hedge, wall, or equivalent screening exceeding three feet in height within a triangle of twenty-five (25) feet along the side of each street, or ten (10) feet along the side of each alley
Height anywhere on the lot	Up to 2 feet can be added to the height limits. Applies: Sloping sites or grade differences between neighboring sites, with administrative approval after notice to bordering owners. § 17.92.120 · code text up to two (2) feet may be added to the height limits in subsection A of this section and administratively approved
Front yard height	Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 4 feet tall. Applies: Within the front yard setback. § 17.92.120 · code text nor shall any fence, wall, hedge, or equivalent screening exceed four (4) feet in height within the area encompassed by the front yard setback. Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: Where no front yard setback is required: in the front yard or along the front lot line. § 17.92.120 · code text When there is no requirement for a front yard setback, the maximum height of any fence, wall, hedge, or equivalent screening within a front yard or along the front lot line shall be limited to six (6) feet.
Side and rear yard height	Fences and walls can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: Within the rear yard setback, or the side yard setback up to the front yard setback line. § 17.92.120 · code text No fence or wall shall hereafter be constructed to exceed six (6) feet in height within the area encompassed by the rear yard setback or the side yard setback to the front yard setback line
Permit	Yes. An administrative fence permit is required before installing any fence or wall. § 17.92.120 · code text An administrative fence permit shall be obtained from the city prior to the installation of any fence or wall. A conditional use permit is required for a fence, wall or hedge that does not meet the standards. Applies: Extra height on sloping sites can be approved administratively; the permit is issued only 10 days after approval. § 17.92.120 · code text Permits for fences and walls that exceed the height limits in subsection A of this section shall not be issued until ten (10) days have elapsed from the approval thereof

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Dunsmuir?

Dunsmuir requires a fence permit and limits fences to 4 feet in the front setback and 6 feet in rear and side setbacks.

General information, not legal advice.

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Dunsmuir Municipal Code — full text