Palo Alto requires fences to be structurally sound, maintained in good condition, and compliant with Dark Sky lighting rules, height limits, and VHFHSZ wildfire standards in the foothills.
Beyond height limits, Palo Alto requires all fences to be well-maintained (no leaning, rotten, or missing sections) under property-maintenance provisions in PAMC 18.40. Attached fence lighting must comply with the Palo Alto Dark Sky ordinance in PAMC 18.23 requiring fully shielded downward-pointing fixtures with warm-white LEDs (3000K or lower) to protect nocturnal wildlife and neighbors. In the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) covering the foothills west of I-280, fences within 5 feet of any structure must be made of non-combustible materials per California Public Resources Code 4291 and local fire code amendments. Palo Alto Fire can require replacement of wooden fences that abut homes during defensible-space inspections.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle fence requirements.
See how Palo Alto's fence requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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