Deer fencing
Deer Fencing for Hillside Lots
Deer rarely jump 6 feet but can clear 8 feet on level ground, and on a slope a fence may need to be 10–11 feet (UC IPM). Local limits are lower: 7 feet in Walnut Creek’s side and rear setbacks, 6 feet in Orinda. The usual answers are open wire extensions where allowed, placement outside setbacks, a permit, or fencing the garden instead of the property line.
How tall, and why slopes change it
UC IPM guidance in brief: a 6-foot fence stops most deer that aren’t pressed; 7–8 feet is the safer target on level ground; on sloping ground fences may need to be 10 or 11 feet to stop deer jumping down-slope. Secure the bottom with a ground wire or stakes in dips between posts, and make gates as tall as the fence and keep them shut.
The conflict with local height limits
| City | Limit that applies | What it means for deer fencing |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut Creek | 7 ft in interior side and rear setbacks; 3 ft in the front setback (§10-2.3.104) | Taller needs a Minor Use Permit; outside setbacks, ask Planning |
| Orinda | 6 ft maximum anywhere; 4 ft and open within 5 ft of a street line (§17.4.27) | A perimeter fence can’t reach 7–8 ft; enclose the garden instead |
| Danville | 6 ft, or 7 ft with an open lattice top foot (Fence Standards) | An open top foot can add height; confirm wire counts as open |
| Lafayette, Moraga, county areas | Not confirmed here | Confirm with the city or county before building |
Options people use:
- Fence the garden, not the lot. An enclosure around beds and fruit trees can often sit outside required setbacks.
- Open wire above a solid fence where the city counts it within the limit, or allows it with approval.
- A Minor Use Permit in Walnut Creek for a taller fence in a setback.
Confirm any plan above 6 feet with the city first. City-by-city detail: height limits and permits.
Types of deer fence
| Type | Typical cost per foot (Angi 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Poly mesh on posts | $6–$10+ | Least visible, least durable; animals can chew it |
| Galvanized steel wire | $10–$15+ | Welded or woven; the usual long-lasting choice |
| Wood frame with wire panels | $15–$30+ | Looks finished near the house; wood is combustible |
Wildlife and fire
Long perimeter fences can trap wildlife moving across open hillsides, so many owners leave corridors or fence only the garden. If a wood-framed deer fence runs to the house in a high fire hazard area, a noncombustible section where it meets the wall is worth considering. See fire-resistant fencing.
Questions
How much does it cost to put up a deer fence?
What is the best type of fence to protect against deer?
What height of fence will keep deer out?
Sources
- UC IPM, Deer (Pest Notes)
- Angi, deer fence cost (updated May 30, 2026)
- Walnut Creek Municipal Code §10-2.3.104
- Orinda Municipal Code §17.4.27
- Town of Danville Fence Standards (2023)
Checked October 4, 2026. Rules and prices change; confirm anything that affects your project with the city or a licensed contractor.
Next step
Keep the deer out of the garden
Send the approximate length, slope and city. A local fence contractor can call to talk through what your city allows.
Call (925) 477-4533- Posts, sections, gates and full replacements
- Shared fences, deer fences and fire-zone fencing
- Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Danville and nearby