Height Limits: Daly City vs San Mateo
How do height limits rules compare between Daly City, CA and San Mateo, CA?
Daly City and San Mateo have similar restriction levels.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City regulates fence heights through Title 17 (Zoning) of the Municipal Code, with typical California suburban limits of approximately 3-4 feet in front yards and 6-7 feet in side and rear yards. Anything taller generally requires a building permit and design review. California Civil Code 841.4 also caps spite fences at 10 feet anywhere in the state.
View full Daly City rules →San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County
San Mateo's fence height limits: front yard 3 ft solid or 4 ft if 75% open; side/rear max 6 ft (7 ft with permit). Fences over 7 ft require a building permit and SPAR exception. Code: SMMC Ch. 27.84.
View full San Mateo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Front yard typical max | approx. 3 to 4 feet (verify with Planning Division) | - |
| Side and rear yard typical max | approx. 6 to 7 feet | - |
| State spite-fence cap | 10 feet (Cal. Civ. Code 841.4) | - |
| Code location | Daly City MC Title 17 - Planning, Zoning and Development | - |
| Reviewing department | Daly City Planning Division, 333 90th Street | - |
| Front Yard (Solid) | - | 3 ft max |
| Front Yard (75% Open) | - | 4 ft max |
| Side/Rear Yard | - | 6 ft max (7 ft with permit) |
| Over 7 Ft | - | Permit + SPAR exception required |
| Code | - | SMMC Ch. 27.84 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Do I need a permit for a residential fence in Daly City?
Fences taller than the zoning by-right height (commonly anything over 6-7 feet in side/rear yards or over 3-4 feet in front yards) generally require a building or fence permit and zoning review. Confirm with the Planning Division at 650-991-8033 before building.
How is fence height measured on a sloped Daly City lot?
On the steep grades typical of Westlake and Serramonte, fence height is normally measured from the higher of the two adjacent grades along the property line; this prevents stacking a fence on top of a retaining wall to exceed the effective height cap.
San Mateo FAQ
How tall can my fence be in San Mateo?
San Mateo's fence height limits: front yard 3 ft solid or 4 ft if 75% open; side/rear max 6 ft (7 ft with permit). Fences over 7 ft require a building permit and SPAR exception. Code: SMMC Ch. 27.84.
What is the maximum fence height for front yards in San Mateo?
Front Yard (Solid): 3 ft max. Front Yard (75% Open): 4 ft max. Side/Rear Yard: 6 ft max (7 ft with permit). Over 7 Ft: Permit + SPAR exception required.
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