Fence Regulations in Milpitas, CA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Milpitas, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In the City of Milpitas fences on the valley floor top out at 42 inches in front and street-side setbacks near the property line, and six feet along interior side and rear lines. Corner-lot fences inside the sight-visibility triangle are capped at three feet unless the Public Works Director approves otherwise.
Milpitas Fence Height Limits and Corner Visibility
Some RestrictionsMilpitas Municipal Code § XIII-C.2.040
4.Intersection Visibility. On corner lots, fences within the visibility triangle (see Figure C.2.040-1 (Visibility Triangle)) may not exceed three feet in height unless approved by the Public Works Director. The visibility triangle is formed by lines extended from the face of the curb to their intersection and a line connecting the face of the curb extensions measured 35 feet from their point o...
Fence Permit Requirements
In the City of Milpitas, a residential fence in the side or rear setback that goes above the standard six-foot limit up to eight feet needs written consent from the adjoining property owner. Municipal Code Section XIII-C.2.040.C.2.d then points property owners to Title II (Building Regulations) for the fence's building permit.
Milpitas Fence Height Consent and Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsMilpitas Municipal Code § XIII-C.2.040.A.2, C.2.d
2.This Section establishes standards for all fences and walls, including those not requiring a Building Permit. ... d.Residential zones. In residential zones, fences within the rear and side setback areas may be up to eight feet in height provided written consent of adjoining residential property owners is received. See Milpitas Municipal Code Title II (Building Regulations) for permit requirem...
Retaining Walls
In the City of Milpitas, retaining walls built within the 'H' Hillside Combining District cannot exceed six feet in height, while crib walls that fence a roadway can run up to fifteen feet. The limit is part of the hillside grading standards in Chapter XIII-B.22, which require streets and cut-or-fill slopes to follow the land's natural contours rather than reshape it to fit a project.
Milpitas Hillside Retaining Wall Height Limit
Some RestrictionsMilpitas Municipal Code § XIII-B.22.180(C)(11)
Streets shall be designed to generally follow the natural contours and land form in order to minimize cut and fill. Exposed walls and fences facing roadways and retaining walls shall be no greater than six (6) feet in height. Crib walls fencing roadways shall be no greater than fifteen (15) feet in height.
Material Restrictions
The City of Milpitas prohibits barbed wire fencing within four feet of a public sidewalk, electrically charged fences unless required by law, and most chain link fencing facing the public right-of-way. Milpitas Municipal Code Section XIII-C.2.040.B.2 lists the exact prohibited fence types and their narrow exceptions.
Milpitas Bans Barbed Wire, Electric Fences
Significant RestrictionsMilpitas Municipal Code § XIII-C.2.040.B.2
2.Prohibited Fences. The following fences are prohibited:a.Barbed wire fences within four feet of a public sidewalk;b.Electrically charged or other hazardous fences unless such fencing is required by any City, state, or federal law or regulation or other public agency;c.Chain link fencing unless for recreational sports courts (e.g., tennis courts), or within a commercial or industrial zone wher...
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