Fence Regulations in San Mateo County, CA (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in San Mateo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In unincorporated San Mateo County, front-yard fences top out at 4 feet and side/rear fences at 6 feet, with a 4-foot cap near corner-lot intersections.
Unincorporated San Mateo Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSan Mateo County Code § 8.332.010
Fences, walls, and hedges shall be subject to the following regulations, except as provided in Section 8.332.020: (a) Fences, walls, and hedges not exceeding four (4) feet in height may occupy any front yard area. (b) Fences, walls, and hedges not exceeding six (6) feet in height may occupy any side or rear yard area... (d) On any corner lot, the maximum height of fences, walls, hedges, and gro...
Fence Permit Requirements
To build a fence or hedge more than two feet above the standard height limit in unincorporated San Mateo County, owners outside the Coastal Zone must get a discretionary exception approved by the Director of Planning and Building.
San Mateo County Fence Height Exception Permit
Significant RestrictionsSan Mateo County Zoning Regulations § 8.332.040
On parcels located outside the Coastal Zone, the Director of Planning and Building may approve an exception to allow fences or hedges to exceed the height limits set forth in Section 8.332.010 by up to two (2) feet, providing that: (1) Written notification of the exception request is sent to all owners of property located within 300 feet of the parcel where the fence or hedge is proposed to be ...
Neighbor Fence Rules
San Mateo County's zoning code sets fence heights but does not allocate cost between neighbors. Boundary-fence cost sharing is governed by California Civil Code 841, which presumes adjoining owners are equally responsible and requires 30 days' written notice before incurring shared costs.
San Mateo County Shared Fence and Neighbor Rules
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code Sec. 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act - Shared Boundary Fence Costs)
841. (a) Adjoining landowners shall share equally in the responsibility for maintaining the boundaries and monuments between them. (b) (1) Adjoining landowners are presumed to share an equal benefit from any fence dividing their properties and, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties in a written agreement, shall be presumed to be equally responsible for the reasonable costs of construction, ...
Material Restrictions
In the North Fair Oaks NMU commercial district, chain-link and corrugated metal fences are banned within 15 feet of the street, and visible street-facing fences top out at 4 feet.
North Fair Oaks NMU Fence Material Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Mateo County Zoning Regulations § 8.130.060(c)(1)(b)
Where visible and within 15 feet of street-facing property lines, fences shall not exceed 4 feet in height, masonry walls are not permitted, and chain link and corrugated fences are not permitted. Where visible and within 15 feet of street, chain link andcorrugated metal fences are prohibited. (2) Mechanical Equip...
Fence Regulations by City in San Mateo County
4 cities in San Mateo County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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