Santa Cruz County, CA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Santa Cruz County Code Section 13.10.525 governs fences and retaining walls within required yards in unincorporated areas. The stated purposes are to provide privacy screening, ensure adequate light and air, preserve a harmonious streetfront, and maintain visibility at driveways and corners. Standard maxima without a discretionary permit are: 3 feet in a required front yard or other yard abutting a street; 6 feet in side and rear yards abutting a street (8 feet if the fence is set back at least 5 feet from the property line); and 8 feet in side and rear yards not abutting a street. Height is measured by 'measuring the exposed face of the fence or wall at its tallest point, from finished grade at the base, to the top.' Within any corner sight clearance triangle, no fence or retaining wall may exceed 3 feet (SCCC 13.16.093). Over-height fence certifications up to 6 feet (inside Urban/Rural Services Lines) or 8 feet (outside Services Lines) in the front yard may be issued by the Planning Director; fence heights up to 8 feet elsewhere require a Minor Site Development Permit; fences taller than 8 feet require an Administrative Site Development Permit. Open architectural features such as lattice may exceed the maxima by no more than 6 inches without a discretionary approval (except within sight triangles, which remain capped at 3 feet).