Height Limits: Berkeley vs San Leandro
How do height limits rules compare between Berkeley, CA and San Leandro, CA?
Berkeley and San Leandro have similar restriction levels.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
Berkeley limits fences to 6 feet in rear and side yards and 3.5 feet in front yards under BMC zoning, with hillside and view-corridor considerations in the Berkeley Hills.
View full Berkeley rules →San Leandro, CA
Alameda County
San Leandro fences limited to 3.5 feet in front yard setback, 6 feet in side/rear yards, and 7 feet for permitted masonry boundary walls.
View full San Leandro rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | San Leandro |
|---|---|---|
| Rear and side max | 6 feet | - |
| Front yard max | 3.5 feet | 3.5 feet solid |
| Decorative top | Up to 2 extra feet if open | - |
| Corner visibility | Triangle restrictions | - |
| Variance | Required for taller | - |
| Front yard open | - | 4 feet if 50 pct open |
| Side/rear max | - | 6 feet |
| Masonry max | - | 7 feet with permit |
| Code | - | SL Zoning Code |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Can I build an 8-foot privacy fence?
Only with a variance. Standard zoning caps privacy fencing at 6 feet in rear and side yards.
Do height limits apply to hedges?
Living hedges are generally not regulated by fence height rules but can be subject to spite fence or view obstruction claims.
San Leandro FAQ
Who enforces this in San Leandro?
San Leandro code enforcement at (510) 577-3394 handles most complaints. Alameda County agencies handle regional issues.
Who enforces this in San Leandro?
San Leandro code enforcement at (510) 577-3394 handles most complaints. Alameda County agencies handle regional issues.
Compare other topics
See how Berkeley and San Leandro compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool