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🧱 Fence Regulations/Permit Requirements

Permit Requirements: Mountain View vs Sunnyvale

How do permit requirements rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?

Mountain View and Sunnyvale have similar restriction levels.

Mountain View, CA

Santa Clara County

Some Restrictions

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 β†’

Sunnyvale, CA

Santa Clara County

Some Restrictions

Fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards do not require a building permit in Sunnyvale, but fences over 7 feet, retaining walls over 4 feet, and pool barriers always need permits.

View full Sunnyvale rules β†’

Key Facts Comparison

FactMountain ViewSunnyvale
Under 6 feetNo permit typically-
Over 6 feetPermit required-
Retaining over 4 feetPermit required-
Commercial fencesPermit required-
Building Division(650) 903-6313-
No permit up to-7 feet wood / vinyl
Permit required over-7 feet
Retaining wall trigger-Over 4 feet
Pool barriers-Always permitted
Issuing office-One Stop Permit Center

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.

Sunnyvale FAQ

Do I need a permit to replace my existing 6-foot fence?

Like-for-like replacement at 6 feet in a side or rear yard does not require a building permit, but setbacks and HOA approval still apply.

Is barbed wire allowed on a residential fence?

No. Barbed wire and razor wire are not allowed on residential fences. Commercial and industrial uses may petition Planning for an exception.

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