Height Limits: Daly City vs South San Francisco
How do height limits rules compare between Daly City, CA and South San Francisco, CA?
Daly City and South San Francisco 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 →South San Francisco, CA
San Mateo County
South San Francisco fence heights are governed by SSFMC Title 20 (Zoning Code). Standard residential limits are 3–4 ft in front yards and up to 6 ft in side/rear yards. The updated zoning code addresses measurement methodology.
View full South San Francisco rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | South San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Yard | - | 3–4 ft typical maximum |
| Side/Rear Yard | - | 6 ft maximum |
| Height Measurement | - | From lowest grade within 3 ft of fence |
| Code | - | SSFMC Title 20 |
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.
South San Francisco FAQ
How tall can my fence be in South San Francisco?
South San Francisco fence heights are governed by SSFMC Title 20 (Zoning Code). Standard residential limits are 3–4 ft in front yards and up to 6 ft in side/rear yards. The updated zoning code addresses measurement methodology.
What is the maximum fence height for front yards in South San Francisco?
Front Yard: 3–4 ft typical maximum. Side/Rear Yard: 6 ft maximum. Height Measurement: From lowest grade within 3 ft of fence. Code: SSFMC Title 20.
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