Permit Requirements: Mountain View vs San Jose
How do permit requirements rules compare between Mountain View, CA and San Jose, CA?
Mountain View and San Jose 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 →San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County unincorporated areas require building permits for fences over 6 feet tall. Side and rear yard fences up to 6 ft are exempt, and front yard fences are limited to 3 ft solid.
View full San Jose rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Permit threshold | - | Fences over 6 feet tall |
| Front yard limit | - | 3 ft solid or 4 ft open |
| Retaining wall trigger | - | Over 3 ft retained height |
| Department | - | Planning and Development |
| Vision triangle | - | Required on corner lots |
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.
San Jose FAQ
Do I need a permit for a 6-foot wood fence in my backyard?
No. Fences up to 6 feet in rear or side yards are exempt from building permits in unincorporated Santa Clara County, but must still meet zoning setbacks and property line rules.
Who handles permits in incorporated cities?
Cities like San Jose, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View issue their own fence permits. County rules apply only to unincorporated areas. Call (408) 299-5001 to confirm your jurisdiction.
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