San Ramon, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front setback fence
- 3 ft maximum, Table 3-1
- Side/rear fence
- 7 ft (6 ft solid + 1 ft lattice)
- Non-residential side/rear
- 8 ft maximum, Table 3-2
- Corner visibility triangle
- 25 ft legs at street intersections
- Driveway visibility triangle
- 15 ft legs along curb and driveway
- Height cap in triangle
- 30 inches, Sec. D3-6.F.2
Summary
San Ramon caps residential fences at 3 feet in a front setback and 7 feet along side or rear lines under Table 3-1 of Municipal Code Section D3-4, and Section D3-6.F additionally limits any fence, sign, or landscaping within the corner traffic-visibility triangle to 30 inches.
TABLE 3-1 HEIGHT OF RESIDENTIAL FENCES AND WALLS. Along a front property line and/or within a required front setback: 3 ft. Alongside or rear property lines and/or within required setbacks: 7 ft. (6 ft. solid with 1 ft. lattice); 6 ft. (with architectural feature). ... F. Height limit at street corners and driveways. Proposed and existing development adjacent to a public or private street or alley intersection, or the intersection of a driveway with a street shall be designed to provide a traffic safety visibility area for pedestrian and traffic safety. ... a. Street intersections. The visibility area shall be defined by measuring 25 feet from the intersection of the front and street side right-of-way lines (e.g., edge of pavement or curb), and connecting the lines across the property. ... 2. Height limit. a. No structure, sign, or landscape element shall exceed 30 inches in height within the traffic safety visibility area, unless approved by the Engineering Services Director.
Full Breakdown
B sets the residential fence and wall limits: 3 feet along a front property line or within a required front setback, and 7 feet along side or rear lines (6 feet solid with 1 foot of lattice, or 6 feet with an added architectural feature). Non-residential properties may build solid fences up to 8 feet along side and rear lines under Table 3-2, while the 3-foot front limit stays the same. C). F requires a traffic safety visibility area at every street intersection and driveway: at a street intersection the triangle is drawn by measuring 25 feet from the intersection of the front and street side right-of-way lines and connecting those points, and at a driveway it runs 15 feet along the driveway and 15 feet along the curb.
Within that triangle, no structure, sign, or landscape element, including a fence, may exceed 30 inches in height unless the Engineering Services Director approves an exception; established utility poles, traffic signs, and trees trimmed to at least 7 feet of canopy clearance are exempt.
Violations & Fines
A fence built taller than Table 3-1's limits, or over 30 inches inside a required corner visibility triangle, without approved Minor Exception, Variance, or Engineering Services Director sign-off is unpermitted construction. It is charged as an infraction under Section A1-32, punishable by a fine of up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $550 for each further violation within a year, and the City can order the fence lowered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my front yard fence be in San Ramon?
Can a fence block visibility at a street corner?
How is fence height measured on a slope?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Ramon
How San Ramon compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·California rules heatmap·Compare San Ramon to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle height limits.