Unincorporated San Mateo County limits front yard fences to 4 feet, and side/rear yard fences to 6 feet. A Fence Height Exception may allow up to 2 additional feet. Coastal Zone properties cannot apply for height exceptions.
San Mateo County zoning regulations limit fence heights in unincorporated areas: maximum 4 feet in front setbacks, exterior side setbacks, or public right-of-way areas; maximum 6 feet in rear setbacks or interior side setbacks. Lattices count toward overall fence height. A Fence Height Exception can allow up to 2 feet over the limit ($2,600 fee; 2–4 month process; requires neighbor notification). Coastal Zone parcels are not eligible for height exceptions. All fences over 6 feet and masonry fences of any height require a building permit.
Code compliance notice with correction period. Remove or modify non-compliant fence. Fines if not corrected.
San Mateo County, CA
Amplified music in unincorporated San Mateo County is regulated by County Code Chapter 4.88 Noise Control, which caps exterior noise at 55-75 dBA daytime and...
San Mateo County, CA
Unincorporated San Mateo County enforces CVC §22651(k) for vehicles on public streets (72 hours) and Ordinance Code Chapter 4.48 for inoperable vehicles on p...
San Mateo County, CA
Unincorporated San Mateo County has no general overnight parking ban on most streets. Specific residential neighborhoods may have permit parking. California ...
San Mateo County, CA
Unincorporated San Mateo County allows backyard chickens on residential parcels of at least 2,500 sq ft under the County Zoning Regulations. 2,500 to 7,500 s...
San Mateo County, CA
San Mateo County requires 100 feet of defensible space around all structures in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and designated Very High Fire Hazard Severit...
San Mateo County, CA
Rainwater harvesting for non-potable residential use (garden irrigation, lawn watering, toilet flushing with treatment) is legal in San Mateo County and enco...
See how San Mateo County's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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