Simi Valley Permit Requirements Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Simi Valley Development Code Section 9-30.080 establishes the zoning framework for fences throughout the city, setting maximum heights based on yard location and proximity to streets. These rules work alongside the California Building Code as locally adopted by Simi Valley to determine when a building permit is required. For the majority of residential fence projects — a wood or vinyl privacy fence in a side or rear yard that does not exceed 6 feet — no building permit is required from the Building & Safety Division. However, the fence must still comply with all zoning requirements for height and location before construction begins. Property owners are strongly encouraged to verify zoning compliance before proceeding; fences that are later found to violate the Development Code may require modification or removal at the owner's expense, plus penalty fees.

Masonry construction triggers additional requirements. Concrete block, brick, stone, and stucco-over-block walls over 3 feet in exposed height (measured from the lowest adjacent finished grade) require a building permit application accompanied by engineered structural drawings stamped by a California-licensed structural engineer. The drawings must demonstrate that footings and reinforcement are adequate for Ventura County's seismic design category. Any fence or wall — of any material including wood, wrought iron, aluminum, vinyl, or masonry — that exceeds 6 feet in height requires a full building permit regardless of material. This height is measured from the lowest adjacent finished grade, meaning a fence or wall installed atop a retaining wall may require a permit based on the combined height even if the fence structure itself measures under 6 feet.

Simi Valley does not require fences to be placed at any specific distance from a property line, but placement along a common boundary line carries legal implications governed by California Civil Code Section 841. Property owners are encouraged to confirm the precise location of their property boundary — ideally through a licensed land surveyor — before installing any fence intended to sit on or near the property line. Barbed wire and electrically charged fencing are prohibited on residential properties. Sight triangles at driveways and intersections must remain clear in accordance with standards set by the City Engineer. Contact the Building & Safety Division at (805) 583-6723 or the Planning Division at (805) 583-6769 with pre-application questions.