Short Answer
Usually noFences 7 feet tall or less, other than swimming pool barriers, are exempt from a building permit under SDMC §129.0203. Zoning height limits still apply: fences over 6 feet are prohibited in the front yard setback and over 3 feet in visibility areas.
Source: San Diego Municipal Code §129.0203: Exemptions from a Building Permit
San Diego Fence Permits at a Glance
- Permits, last 12 months
- 21
- Issued, last 30 days
- 2
- Median application to issue
- 139 days
- Median declared job value
- $27,360
Issuing office: City of San Diego Development Services Department. Rule last checked October 30, 2026.
Recent San Diego Fence Permits
| Issued | Address | Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-19 | — | REPIPE — REPLACE EXISTING CAST-IRON DRAINAGE SERVING ONE TOILET, ONE LAVATORY, ONE TUB/SHOWER,…REPIPE — REPLACE EXISTING CAST-IRON DRAINAGE SERVING ONE TOILET, ONE LAVATORY, ONE TUB/SHOWER, KITCHEN, AND LAUNDRY WITH |
| 2026-10-06 | 4182 Utah St, San Diego, CA 92104 | For a new wood fence along the front property line of the existing one-story SDU. Work includes the…For a new wood fence along the front property line of the existing one-story SDU. Work includes the driveway restoration |
| 2026-09-16 | 2162 Flintridge Dr, San Diego, CA | Root barriers, irrigation, bush, and chain link fence. |
| 2026-07-21 | 667 Kirtright St, San Diego, CA 92114 | Request for deviation of 2022 CBC, Chapter 7A. Requesting to substitute 6 ft. CMU block wall with 6…Request for deviation of 2022 CBC, Chapter 7A. Requesting to substitute 6 ft. CMU block wall with 6 ft. vinyl (PVC) priv |
| 2026-07-20 | 390 11th Av, San Diego, CA | Pursuant to San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC) Sec. 123.0404, the City of San Diego has approved…Pursuant to San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC) Sec. 123.0404, the City of San Diego has approved Temporary Use Permit (TUP) |
| 2026-07-09 | 6501 Linda Vista Rd, San Diego, CA 92111 | for the proposed site improvements to an existing private education institution. Work includes ,…for the proposed site improvements to an existing private education institution. Work includes , landscape and irrigatio |
| 2026-07-09 | 6501 Linda Vista Rd, San Diego, CA 92111 | for the proposed site improvements to an existing private education institution. Work includes ,…for the proposed site improvements to an existing private education institution. Work includes , landscape and irrigatio |
| 2026-05-20 | 3089 38th St, San Diego, CA | Open brick fence with metal |
| 2026-05-14 | 2371 Beryl St, San Diego, CA 92109 | To replace fence with new fence on inside of north property line at existing SDU. |
| 2026-04-05 | 8489 Tommy Dr, San Diego, CA | For the proposed (N) detached ADU along with wood fence & landscaping. BC CODE 4333. |
Addresses, work descriptions and contractor details as published by the city. San Diego's open-data feed does not publish the contractor for these permits. Owner names and personal phone numbers are never shown.
Permits Issued per Month
Counts are approximate: we match permit types and descriptions to fence work. Data from City of San Diego Development Permits (Set 2), refreshed October 30, 2026.
What San Diego's Rules Say
- Exempt: fences 7 ft or less that are not pool barriers.
- Front yard setback: fences over 6 ft are prohibited.
- Visibility areas: fences over 3 ft are prohibited.
- The exemption does not apply to historical resources or premises with environmentally sensitive lands that need a development permit.
San Diego Fence Permit Fees
We have not verified San Diego's fee for this work from an official fee schedule yet, so we don't quote one. The City of San Diego Development Services Department sets the fee when you apply.
Busiest Areas for Fence Permits
| ZIP code | Permits (12 mo) |
|---|---|
| 92104 | 2 |
| 92111 | 2 |
| 92109 | 2 |
| 92114 | 1 |
| 92116 | 1 |
| 92129 | 1 |
How to Get a Fence Permit in San Diego
- Confirm the rule for your exact job on the official page cited above. Size, height, structure and location (historic district, floodplain) can change the answer.
- Choose who applies. Many permits here must be pulled by a licensed contractor; ask any contractor to name the license they will use.
- Apply with the City of San Diego Development Services Department through the official department website.
- Schedule inspections as the permit requires, and keep the final approval with your house records.
Get 3 Local Quotes
Licensed San Diego pros for new fence, who can pull the permit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a fence permit in San Diego?
Usually no. Fences 7 feet tall or less, other than swimming pool barriers, are exempt from a building permit under SDMC §129.0203. Zoning height limits still apply: fences over 6 feet are prohibited in the front yard setback and over 3 feet in visibility areas.
How many fence permits does San Diego issue?
San Diego issued 21 permits matching fence work between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026, about 2 a month. The busiest month was Feb 2026 with 5.
How much does a fence permit cost in San Diego?
We have not yet verified San Diego's fee for this work from an official fee schedule, so we do not quote one. The fee is set by the City of San Diego Development Services Department when you apply.
How long does it take to get a fence permit in San Diego?
Based on the city's records, the median time from application to issue for these permits was 139 days over the last 12 months.
Who issues fence permits in San Diego?
The City of San Diego Development Services Department.
Related Permit Guides
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- Do You Need a Fence Permit in San Francisco?
- Do You Need a Fence Permit in Chicago?
- Fence Permits by City
- Fence Permit Height Limits Compared Across 11 Cities
More in this state: California Building Permits. Every city we cover is listed on Building Permits by City. Compare the same project in other cities from Permit Rules by Project Type. Plain-English explainers are collected in Homeowner Permit Guides.
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- San Diego Municipal Code §129.0203: Exemptions from a Building Permit (linked above) (docs.sandiego.gov)
- City of San Diego: When Is a Permit Required? (sandiego.gov)