Fence Regulations in Cupertino, CA (2026)
7 verified fence regulations for Cupertino, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Cupertino caps residential fences at 3 feet in the front yard setback and 6 feet in side and rear yard setbacks. An 8-foot fence is allowed where 6 feet is permitted with a building permit and written neighbor approval. Fences over 10 feet require a Fence Exception.
Cupertino Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsPermit Requirements
Standard fences up to 6 feet in Cupertino generally need no discretionary approval, but an 8-foot fence requires a building permit plus written neighbor consent. Fences over 10 feet, taller-than-allowed fences, and driveway gates require a Fence Exception from the Design Review Committee.
Cupertino Fence Permits
Some RestrictionsNeighbor Fence Rules
Cupertino requires written approval from adjacent property owners before building an 8-foot fence where a 6-foot fence is otherwise allowed. Fence Exception applications trigger mailed notice to abutting and surrounding owners, and California's shared-fence cost-sharing law also applies.
Cupertino Fence Neighbor Rules
Some RestrictionsRetaining Walls
Retaining walls in Cupertino are regulated separately from fences and generally require a building permit. In hillside areas, retaining walls facing downhill slopes should be staggered to keep exposed heights at 5 feet or less and be screened with landscaping. A fence added atop a wall counts toward fence height.
Cupertino Retaining Walls
Some RestrictionsFence Requirements
Cupertino fences must preserve sight visibility at intersections, stay out of the 40-foot corner triangle in the front, and meet height limits by setback area. In design-review zones, the Design Review Committee approves fence location, height, and materials, including acoustic and privacy buffering between commercial and residential zones.
Cupertino Fence Requirements
Some RestrictionsMaterial Restrictions
Cupertino prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing in all zones unless required by law or by City, State, or Federal regulation. These prohibited-fence rules are set out in Municipal Code Section 16.28.080.
Cupertino Prohibited Fence Materials
Heavy RestrictionsApproved Materials
Cupertino's fence chapter sets height and location standards but leaves most material choices to the owner, except that barbed, razor, and electrified fencing are banned. In design-review zones the Design Review Committee approves materials, and buffer fences between commercial and residential zones must provide acoustic and visual privacy.
Cupertino Fence Materials Standards
Some RestrictionsLooking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cupertino city rules.
Fence Regulations in Santa Clara County →