Fences and walls in Winters: the local rules

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

What Winters's code says

Winters code What Winters's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet, 6 inches tall within 45 feet of a street corner. Applies: Street side setbacks in residential zones. § 17.64.010 · code text In residential zones in street side setbacks within forty-five (45) feet of a street corner;
Height anywhere on the lot	Fences, walls or hedges may be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Outside the areas limited to 3 feet, 6 inches: front and secondary front setbacks, and street side setbacks within 45 feet of a corner. § 17.64.010 · code text Fences, walls or hedges not regulated by subsection A, may be permitted on a lot up to six feet in height.
Front yard height	Fences may be no more than 3 feet, 6 inches tall. Applies: Front or secondary front yard setbacks in residential zones. § 17.64.010 · code text In residential zones in front or secondary front yard setbacks, except as allowed elsewhere in this title;
Side and rear yard height	Fences may be raised to at most 8 feet. Applies: Interior side and rear yards in residential zones, with written agreement of both owners and at least 50% open material above 6 feet. § 17.64.010 · code text Fence heights regulated in subsection B, may be permanently increased by two feet to a maximum height of eight feet on interior side and rear yards in residential zones if:
Permit	A building permit is required for any fence or wall over 6 feet tall. § 17.64.020 · code text A building permit is required for any fence or wall over six feet in height, and any retaining wall over three feet in height. A building permit is required for any retaining wall over 3 feet tall. § 17.64.020 · code text A building permit is required for any fence or wall over six feet in height, and any retaining wall over three feet in height. An encroachment permit is required. Applies: Fences or walls built in a utility easement or public right-of-way. § 17.64.030 · code text An encroachment permit is required for a fence or wall that is constructed within a utility easement or public right-of-way.

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Winters?

Winters limits residential fences to 3 feet 6 inches in front setbacks and near street corners, and 6 feet elsewhere.

Fences and walls in Winters

Key points

What Winters's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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