Fence Regulations in Pleasanton, CA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Pleasanton, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Pleasanton caps solid front-yard fences, walls and hedges at 30 inches in most residential districts, though open wrought iron, split rail or picket-style fencing can run up to 42 inches, with decorative brick bases and pilasters allowed up to 48 inches. Side and rear yard fences may reach six feet by right, and up to eight feet with zoning administrator approval.
Pleasanton Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsPleasanton Municipal Code § 18.84.080(C)
No solid fence, brick and screen block walls, chainlink fence, hedge, or other screen planting in a required front yard in all zoning districts other than the R-1-20,000, R-1-40,000, and A districts shall exceed a height of 30 inches. Open fencing such as wrought iron, split rail, picket style, or other similar types of open fencing may be located in a required front yard, provided that the ope...
Fence Permit Requirements
A side or rear yard fence between six and eight feet tall in Pleasanton needs zoning administrator approval and a design review application before it goes up. The administrator can require notice to neighbors within 300 feet, hold a hearing, and the decision is appealable to the planning commission.
Pleasanton Over-Height Fence Permit
Significant RestrictionsPleasanton Municipal Code § 18.84.090(G)
Fences, walls and hedges greater than six feet but not over eight feet in height may occupy a required side or rear yard upon approval by the zoning administrator. 1. Application for an over height fence, wall or hedge pursuant to this subsection shall be made with the zoning administrator and shall be subject to design review. 2. The zoning administrator may require noticing up to 300 feet fro...
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls up to 4 feet high, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, do not need a building permit in Pleasanton unless they hold back a surcharge or Class I, II or IIIA liquids, per Municipal Code § 20.04.130.
Pleasanton Retaining Wall Permit Exemption
Some RestrictionsPleasanton Municipal Code § 20.04.130(A)(3)
Retaining walls which are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.
Material Restrictions
Pleasanton bans barbed wire fencing in its R-1 and RM residential districts. Municipal Code §§ 18.32.050 and 18.36.050 list barbed wire, or any fence rigged with it to stop people or animals from climbing, among prohibited uses, with narrow exceptions for lots where horse-keeping is allowed or lingers as a nonconforming holdover from earlier agricultural zoning.
Barbed Wire Fences Banned in Pleasanton
Significant RestrictionsPleasanton Municipal Code § 18.32.050
Barbed wire fences or any fence which has attached to it, for purposes of prohibiting people or animals from climbing the same, barbed wire regardless of type, with the following exceptions: 1. Where this title specifically allows for the keeping of horses, 2. Where property, although zoned for residential use, has not yet developed pursuant to that zoning and, thus, a great deal of open acreag...
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