Fence Regulations in Mountain View, CA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Mountain View, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Mountain View caps fences in R1 and R2 residential zones at three feet in the front yard and six feet on rear and side property lines without any permit, under City Code Sec. 36.06.50(g). Corner lots carry extra rules: fences stay at three feet inside a 35-foot traffic visibility triangle at the street corner.
Mountain View Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 36.06.50(g) (Exemptions from Zoning Permit Requirements - Fences)
Fences—R1 and R2 zoning districts. The following types of fences in the R1 and R2 zoning districts are exempt from zoning permit requirements. Allowed fence heights and locations are illustrated in Figure 36.06-1 (Fence and Wall Standards). 1.Interior lots. Fences up to three (3) feet in height when located within the required front yard, or up to six (6) feet in height located on rear or side ...
Fence Permit Requirements
In Mountain View's R1 single-family zone, a fence needs no permit at all below set heights under City Code Sec. 36.06.50, but anything from six up to seven feet triggers a development review permit under Sec. 36.10.30(c). Taller fences and walls citywide face the same seven-foot ceiling and review process under Sec. 36.08.20.
Mountain View Fence Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 36.10.30(c) (Development Review Required, R1 Zoning District)
The following types of proposed development in the R1 zoning district shall be subject to development review in compliance with Section 36.44.45 (Development Review): a.Structures in new subdivisions of five (5) or more parcels;b.Requests for FAR exceptions;c.Fences over six (6) feet in height and up to seven (7) feet;d.Planned unit developments in accordance with Section 36.46.70; ande.Conditi...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Shared fences between Mountain View neighbors are governed by California Civil Code 841 which presumes equal cost sharing for maintenance with 30 day written notice required before work.
Mountain View Shared Fence Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 841
841. (a) Adjoining landowners shall share equally in the responsibility for maintaining the boundaries and monuments between them. (b) (1) Adjoining landowners are presumed to share an equal benefit from any fence dividing their properties and, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties in a written agreement, shall be presumed to be equally responsible for the reasonable costs of construction, ...
Retaining Walls
Mountain View only waives its zoning permit for a retaining wall when the wall retains earth only and creates a grade change of 18 inches or less, and even then only if Chapter 8 (Buildings) does not separately require a grading permit for the work.
Mountain View Retaining Wall Permit Threshold
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 36.06.50(m) (Exemptions from Zoning Permit Requirements)
SEC. 36.06.50. - Exemptions from zoning permit requirements. The zoning permit requirements of this Chapter do not apply to the following activities, land uses and structures except as otherwise provided below. ... m.Retaining walls. Retaining walls (retaining earth only) that result in grade changes of eighteen (18) inches or less and are not required by Chapter 8 of the City Code to have a gr...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mountain View city rules.
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