Permit Requirements: Mountain View vs Palo Alto
How do permit requirements rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Palo Alto, CA?
Mountain View and Palo Alto have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Mountain View does not require a building permit for standard residential fences up to 6 feet, but retaining walls, taller fences, and corner lot fences may require permits or planning review.
View full Mountain View rules →Palo Alto, CA
Santa Clara County
Palo Alto requires a building permit for fences over 7 feet tall or any retaining-wall combination exceeding 4 feet; fences at or under 6 feet generally do not need a permit.
View full Palo Alto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Palo Alto |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 feet | No permit typically | - |
| Over 6 feet | Permit required | - |
| Retaining over 4 feet | Permit required | - |
| Commercial fences | Permit required | - |
| Building Division | (650) 903-6313 | - |
| Under 7 feet | - | No building permit |
| Over 7 feet | - | Permit required |
| Pool barriers | - | Permit required |
| Retaining + fence | - | Over 4 ft needs permit |
| Typical fee | - | 150 to 400 dollars |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Do I need a permit for a 6 foot wood fence?
No permit is typically required for a standard 6 foot wood fence in side or rear yards, but zoning rules still apply.
What about replacing an existing fence?
Like-for-like replacement does not usually require a permit if height and location stay the same.
Palo Alto FAQ
Do I need a permit to replace an existing fence?
Not if it is at the same location and height under 7 feet, but zoning compliance still applies.
What about a masonry wall?
Masonry walls usually need a permit due to structural footing requirements.
Compare other topics
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