San Mateo County, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard max
- 4 feet
- Side/rear yard max
- 6 feet
- Corner-lot sightline cap
- 4 feet within 50 ft of intersection
- Applies to
- unincorporated county only
Summary
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.
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 growth located within fifty (50) feet of the intersected street lines shall not exceed four (4) feet in height...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).
Full Breakdown
San Mateo County's zoning code caps fences, walls, and hedges in any front yard at 4 feet, and in side or rear yards at 6 feet provided they stay clear of the required front yard. On corner lots, anything within 50 feet of the intersecting street lines, fences, walls, hedges, or growth, cannot exceed 4 feet, preserving sightlines at the intersection. This applies only to the unincorporated county; incorporated cities like Redwood City or San Mateo set their own fence rules.
Violations & Fines
Zoning enforcement can require the property owner to cut a fence down to code height; the Director of Planning and Building may also grant a height exception up to 2 feet after a neighbor-notification process under § 8.332.040.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my front-yard fence be in unincorporated San Mateo County?
Are corner lots treated differently?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
How San Mateo County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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