Fence Regulations in Sunnyvale, CA (2026)
7 verified fence regulations for Sunnyvale, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Sunnyvale limits front yard fences to 3 feet, side and rear yard fences to 6 feet, and allows up to 8 feet with a minor fence permit for privacy and sound attenuation needs.
Sunnyvale Fence Height Limits by Location
Some RestrictionsPermit Requirements
Fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards do not require a building permit in Sunnyvale, but fences over 7 feet, retaining walls over 4 feet, and pool barriers always need permits.
Sunnyvale Fence Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsNeighbor Fence Rules
California Civil Code 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) requires adjoining property owners to share the cost of boundary fences equally absent written agreement, and 30-day written notice before construction.
Sunnyvale Shared Fences and Good Neighbor Law
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code § 841(a)-(b) (Good Neighbor Fence Act)
(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, maint...
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing require a Sunnyvale building permit with engineered plans, including drainage, soil pressure, and seismic analysis.
Sunnyvale Retaining Wall Rules and Permits
Some RestrictionsPool Barriers
California Health and Safety Code 115920 and Sunnyvale code require pool barriers at least 60 inches tall with self-closing gates and at least two of seven safety features for residential swimming pools.
Sunnyvale Swimming Pool Barrier Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsCA Health and Safety Code 115920 (Swimming Pool Safety Act)
Health and Safety Code - HSC DIVISION 104. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH [106500 - 119406] ( Division 104 added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 6. ) PART 10. RECREATIONAL SAFETY [115725 - 116095] ( Part 10 added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 6. ) CHAPTER 5. Safe Recreational Water Use [115825 - 116090.7] ( Chapter 5 added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 6. ) ARTICLE 2.5. The Swimming Pool Safety Act [115920...
Fence Requirements
Sunnyvale fences must be structurally sound, set back from sight-distance triangles at corners, and for commercial uses must meet screening and design review requirements in the zoning code.
Sunnyvale Fence Construction and Design Standards
Some RestrictionsMaterial Restrictions
Barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fences are prohibited on Sunnyvale residential properties. Wood, vinyl, wrought iron, masonry, and composite are all permitted residential fence materials.
Sunnyvale Fence Material Rules and Prohibited Types
Some RestrictionsLooking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sunnyvale city rules.
Fence Regulations in Santa Clara County →