Fence Regulations in Pacifica, CA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Pacifica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Pacifica Municipal Code Section 9-4.2503 caps fences, hedges, walls and screen plantings at six feet in the side yard behind the front setback and in the rear yard, and three feet in the required front yard. Corner lots face a stricter rule: fences within 25 feet of a street corner are held to three feet to preserve sightlines.
Pacifica Fence Height Limits by Yard
Some RestrictionsPacifica Municipal Code § 9-4.2503
No fence, hedge, wall, or screen planting of any kind shall be constructed or grown to exceed six (6′) feet in height (unless otherwise required by law) within any required side yard to the rear of the required front yard of any dwelling or within any required rear yard; nor exceed three (3′) feet in height within the required front yard of any dwelling, or, for corner lots, within twenty-five ...
Fence Permit Requirements
Pacifica does not require a permit for a residential fence that stays within the standard height limits, but Municipal Code Section 9-4.2503(a) requires a site development permit for any commercial fence built taller than six feet. A three-foot front-yard fence can also be raised to four feet with open-work material, only after Planning Director approval.
Pacifica Commercial Fence Permit Over 6 Feet
Some RestrictionsPacifica Municipal Code § 9-4.2503
Fences or walls limited to three (3′) feet in height may be vertically extended up to four (4′) feet with open work fence material, as defined in subsection (b) of this section, subject to approval of the Planning Director, who shall consider the compatibility of the fence design with its site and surrounding uses. Commercial fences may not exceed six (6′) feet in height, unless additional heig...
Retaining Walls
Pacifica measures retaining wall height from the lower ground level where grade differs on either side, under Municipal Code Section 9-4.2503(b). The code does not cap how many terraces a retaining wall system can have, but Section 9-4.2503(c) requires each terraced wall to be offset at least three feet from the next by a planting area.
Pacifica Retaining Wall Height and Terracing Rules
Some RestrictionsPacifica Municipal Code § 9-4.2503
When there is a difference in the ground level on opposite sides of a retaining wall, height shall be measured from the lower ground level. ... This section shall not be construed to limit terracing of retaining walls. Terraced walls shall be offset at least three feet (3') from each other by a planting area.
Material Restrictions
In the City of Pacifica, it is unlawful to place or maintain a fence made wholly or partially of barbed wire in any zoning district under Municipal Code § 9-4.2311(a). Fences must instead use solid or substantial material such as wood, chain link, or non-barbed wire, with barbed wire allowed only to contain horses or livestock.
Pacifica Barbed Wire Fence Ban
Heavy RestrictionsPacifica Municipal Code § 9-4.2311
(a)Barbed wire fences. It shall be unlawful for any person to place, or allow to be placed, or to maintain a fence made wholly or partially of barbed wire in any district. Exception. Barbed wire may be used in fencing when necessary to contain horses and other livestock. This exception shall only apply to fences constructed in accordance with the approval of the Building Official for animal con...
Looking for San Mateo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pacifica city rules.
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