Sunnyvale fences must be structurally sound, set back from sight-distance triangles at corners, and for commercial uses must meet screening and design review requirements in the zoning code.
Sunnyvale fence construction standards require that any fence be structurally sound with posts embedded sufficiently for wind loads, no leaning more than 10 degrees from vertical, and no missing panels creating safety hazards. Code Enforcement can require repair or replacement of dilapidated fences as a property maintenance violation. Corner lot fences must honor the sight-distance triangle, which keeps fencing under 3 feet within 25 feet of the intersection curb lines. For commercial and industrial properties along Lawrence Expressway, El Camino, Mathilda, and Central Expressway, solid screening fences are frequently required as part of design review to buffer parking lots and loading areas from public view and adjacent residential uses. Chain link fencing without slats is generally disallowed in street-facing commercial frontages. HOA CCR requirements in newer developments near Moffett Park can be stricter than city rules.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle fence requirements.
See how Sunnyvale's fence requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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