Height Limits: Daly City vs Redwood City
How do height limits rules compare between Daly City, CA and Redwood City, CA?
Daly City and Redwood City have similar restriction levels.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City caps fences at 6 feet on residential parcels and 3 feet in any required front yard or within 35 feet of the street corner on a corner lot. Non-residential and mixed-use parcels may have 8-foot fences, or up to 10 feet with administrative design review.
View full Daly City rules →Redwood City, CA
San Mateo County
Max fence height in Redwood City: 3 ft (solid) or 5 ft (open-top) in the front-yard 15-ft setback, 7 ft on side and rear yards, and 5 ft+ for pool barriers. Permits aren't required under 7 ft. Corner-lot visibility triangle applies.
View full Redwood City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | Redwood City |
|---|---|---|
| Residential max (side/rear) | 6 feet | - |
| Front yard max | 3 feet | - |
| Corner lots | 3 ft max within 35 ft of street corner | - |
| Non-residential/mixed-use max | 8 ft (10 ft with administrative design review) | - |
| Code section | DCMC 17.40.020 | - |
| Front Setback (15 ft) | - | 3 ft solid; up to 5 ft with open topper |
| Side/Rear Yards | - | Up to 7 ft |
| Pool Fences | - | Greater than 5 ft required |
| Code | - | RWC Zoning Code R Districts |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
How tall can my backyard fence be in Daly City?
Six feet on a residential parcel. DCMC 17.40.020 prohibits fences over 6 feet where the sole use of the parcel is residential, unless required by law or a condition of approval.
How is fence height measured on a sloped lot?
Height is measured from the ground level at the property line of the highest abutting property next to the fence. On sloping parcels it is measured at the shortest fence post along any panel not exceeding 8 feet in length (DCMC 17.40.020(B)).
Can I have a taller fence on a commercial property?
Yes. Parcels with a non-residential use, including mixed-use buildings, may have 8-foot fences, and up to 10 feet is possible with administrative design review if the fence incorporates a decorative material such as tubular metal or vinyl cladding.
Redwood City FAQ
How tall can my fence be in Redwood City?
Redwood City fence height limits vary by location: front yard (15-ft setback) maximum 3 ft solid or 5 ft with open top; outside front setback up to 7 ft. Pool fences must be over 5 ft. Corner lot visibility rules apply.
What is the maximum fence height for front yards in Redwood City?
Front Setback (15 ft): 3 ft solid; up to 5 ft with open topper. Side/Rear Yards: Up to 7 ft. Pool Fences: Greater than 5 ft required. Code: RWC Zoning Code R Districts.
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