Fences and walls in Merced County: the local rules

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

What Merced County's code says

Merced County code What Merced County's code adds
Corner visibility	Anything over 2 feet 6 inches above finished grade must be at least 16 feet from the curb face. Applies: Corner lots; fences, walls, hedges or visual obstructions in the side yard next to the street. § 18.34.020 · code text On a corner lot, fences, walls, hedges, or visual obstructions in the side yard adjacent to the street that exceed two feet, six inches above finished grade shall be set back a minimum of 16 feet from the face of curb. No higher than 2 feet 6 inches above the nearest road surface. Applies: Applies within sight triangles at public road intersections and private driveways. § 18.34.020 · code text No fence, wall, or hedge higher than two feet, six inches above the nearest roadway surface shall be installed or maintained within the sight distance triangles at public roadway intersections and private driveways.
Height anywhere on the lot	At most 7 feet. Applies: Applies to residential fences and walls 15 feet or more from the property line, unless other rules require more height. § 18.34.030 · code text At 15 feet or more from the property line \| Fences and walls \| 7′ – 0″ At most 7 feet. Applies: Applies to residential setback areas next to a non-residential district, unless other rules require more height. § 18.34.030 · code text Other setback areas abutting a non-residential district \| Open or solid fences, walls, hedges, and/or landscaping, as required by Landscape Standards, See Ch. 18.36 (Landscaping) \| 7′ – 0″
Front yard height	At most 4 feet. Applies: Applies to the first 15 feet of residential front setbacks, outside sight areas, unless other rules require more height. § 18.34.030 · code text Within front setbacks for the first 15 feet (except for sight distance area) \| Open or solid fences, walls, hedges with vines and/or shrubs \| 4′ – 0″
Permit	Yes. A building permit is required for fences and walls over 7 feet. Applies: Applies to fences and walls over 7 feet. § 18.34.030 · code text Fences and walls higher than seven feet require a Building Permit.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Merced County?

In residential zones, fences in the first 15 feet of the front setback are limited to 4 feet, outside sight-distance areas. Residential fences at least 15 feet from the property line, or in setbacks next to non-residential zones, are limited to 7 feet.

Fences and walls in Merced County

Key points

What Merced County's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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