Cupertino, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

040 of the Cupertino Municipal Code lists two categories of prohibited fence materials that apply in every zoning district. The first bars barbed wire, razor wire, chicken wire and similar small-gauge wire or mesh products, and electrified fencing outright, unless a law or regulation of the City, State, or Federal Government requires them. The second bars fences built of non-engineered plastic, fabric membranes, cloth, canvas, plywood, uncoated cyclone or chain-link, and reed or bamboo with sticks or slats narrower than four inches, though this second group is allowed if the fence sits somewhere not visible from public areas or adjacent properties, such as behind a house.

Allowed materials include wood, engineered plastic, vinyl-coated cyclone or chain-link, metal such as wrought iron, brick, block, stone, and comparable safe, commercially accepted fencing materials. Whatever material is chosen, its color must be a natural earth tone or vegetation color, limited to hues of brown, green, or gray, and its reflectivity value must be 60 or less. The section also requires the strip between the back of curb and any fence to be landscaped, with permanent irrigation where needed or pervious flatwork, and kept up by the property owner, and it requires every fence next to a street, sidewalk, or public right-of-way to be kept free of visible and structural defects. 020 if the Community Development Director finds them appropriate.