Fences and walls in Madera: the local rules

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

What Madera's code says

Madera code What Madera's code adds
Corner visibility	Fences, walls and screen plantings can be at most 3 feet tall within 25 feet of any street corner. § 10-3.412 · code text No fence, wall, or screen planting of any kind shall be constructed or grown to exceed a maximum of six feet in height between the rear property line of a lot and the front line of the main building or along any rear property line, nor to exceed three feet in height in any required front or street side yard or within 25 feet of any street corner except as may otherwise be permitted under this chapter.
Front yard height	At most 3 feet tall. Applies: In R zones, in any front or street side yard setback area. § 10-3.506 · code text A maximum height of three (3') feet in any front or street side yard setback area, except that, subject to the approval of the Community Development Director/City Engineer, a six (6') foot fence may be erected on the street side yard property line of any fifty (50') foot wide corner lot located in the R. Residential Zone, which is situated adjacent to an eighty (80') foot City right-of-way designated as a Local Street on the General Plan. A 6-foot fence may be allowed with approval. Applies: On the street side line of a 50-foot-wide R zone corner lot next to an 80-foot Local Street right-of-way. § 10-3.506 · code text A maximum height of three (3') feet in any front or street side yard setback area, except that, subject to the approval of the Community Development Director/City Engineer, a six (6') foot fence may be erected on the street side yard property line of any fifty (50') foot wide corner lot located in the R. Residential Zone, which is situated adjacent to an eighty (80') foot City right-of-way designated as a Local Street on the General Plan.
Side and rear yard height	At most 6 feet tall. Applies: In R zones, in any rear or interior side yard, not counting the front setback area. § 10-3.506 · code text A maximum height of six (6') feet in any rear or interior side yard exclusive of the front setback area. At most 6 feet tall. Applies: In the street side yard, up to 25 feet from the front property line or its extension, with an encroachment permit. § 10-3.506 · code text The maximum height shall not exceed six (6') feet in any street side yard area to within twenty-five (25) feet of the front property line, or projection thereof.
Permit	An encroachment permit is required for a fence over 3 feet tall. Applies: In the required street side yard setback area. § 10-3.506 · code text The Community Development Director/City Engineer may grant approval of an encroachment permit for construction of a fence higher than three (3') feet within the required street side yard setback area subject to the following standards: Approval by the Community Development Director/City Engineer is required. Applies: For a 6-foot fence on the street side line of a qualifying 50-foot-wide corner lot in the R zone. § 10-3.506 · code text A maximum height of three (3') feet in any front or street side yard setback area, except that, subject to the approval of the Community Development Director/City Engineer, a six (6') foot fence may be erected on the street side yard property line of any fifty (50') foot wide corner lot located in the R. Residential Zone, which is situated adjacent to an eighty (80') foot City right-of-way designated as a Local Street on the General Plan.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Madera?

City rule: R-zone fences are limited to 3 ft in front and street side setbacks, 6 ft in rear and interior side yards.

Fences and walls in Madera

Key points

What Madera's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Madera property

More on building on your lot in Madera