7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Santa Clara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, fence height is regulated by the County Zoning Ordinance administered by the Department of Planning and Development. Fences, hedges, and screen plantings cannot exceed 3 feet in height in required front yards or in the street side or corner-lot side yards adjacent to key lots. Fences up to 6 feet are allowed elsewhere on a residential lot, with up to 8 feet permitted around required swimming pool enclosures and along rear yards abutting major thoroughfares of four or more lanes. Where non-residential districts adjoin residential districts, common-line fences cannot exceed 6 feet (3 feet beyond the residential setback). Contact Planning at (408) 299-5700. The 15 cities in the county apply their own zoning codes within their limits.
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.
California Civil Code 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) presumes equal cost-sharing for boundary fences between Santa Clara County neighbors. Written 30-day notice is required before shared fence work.
Cal. Civ. Code § 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act)
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, maintenanc...
Santa Clara County requires building permits for retaining walls over 3 feet tall measured from bottom of footing to top. Hillside and foothill properties often need geotechnical reports and engineered plans.
California Health and Safety Code 115920 requires swimming pool barriers at least 60 inches tall with self-closing self-latching gates, plus a second drowning prevention feature in Santa Clara County.
Cal. Health & Safety Code § 115922 (Swimming Pool Safety Act)
Except as provided in Section 115925, subject to subdivision (b), and consistent with Section 1596.814, when a building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming pool or spa at a private single-family home, the respective swimming pool or spa shall be equipped with at least two of the following seven drowning prevention safety ...
Santa Clara County zoning limits front yard fences to 3 ft solid or 4 ft open, and side/rear yard fences to 6 ft. Corner lots must maintain vision clearance triangles at intersections.
Santa Clara County prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fences in residential zones. Foothill VHFHSZ areas recommend non-combustible fencing within 5 feet of structures for ember resistance.
5 cities in Santa Clara County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
3 verified rules • Fence Requirements, Height Limits
7 verified rules • Fence Requirements, Height Limits
7 verified rules • Fence Requirements, Height Limits
7 verified rules • Fence Requirements, Height Limits
7 verified rules • Fence Requirements, Height Limits
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