Fence Installation Permits in Chico

Local Rule

City of Chico Building Division; Chico Municipal Code

Chico exempts wood or chain-link fences up to 7 feet from a building permit, per the city's official Building FAQ. Zoning under Municipal Code 19.60.060 sets a lower practical ceiling for most residential fences: front-yard fences (within the required setback, typically 15 feet from the front property line) are capped at 3 feet, rising to 4 feet with an Administrative Use Permit or 6 feet with a Use Permit; side and rear yards allow up to 6 feet by right, or up to 10 feet between two adjacent parcels with an Administrative Use Permit. No fence, wall, or visual obstruction over 3 feet is allowed within a sight-distance area on corner lots. Barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing are prohibited citywide unless approved by use permit in a commercial or industrial zone.

Source · Verified September 2026

Chico Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Butte County

Chico's own rule is shown above (No permit under 7 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Butte County Development Services (Work Exempt From Building

Non-masonry fences are exempt from a building permit up to 7 ft, while masonry fences are capped at a stricter 6 ft.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Chico with a confirmed fence installation rule:

FAQs

Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need

Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a fence installation project:

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