San Jose, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

For the unincorporated county, Zoning Ordinance Section 4.20.050 controls fence height and placement but does not list specific permitted or banned fencing materials such as wood, vinyl, chain link, or masonry for ordinary residential fences. There is no general county prohibition on a particular fence material. Material-related constraints arise in specific contexts. Under the urban agriculture supplemental regulations, a front-yard fence taller than 3 feet but not over 6 feet may be erected to support an urban agriculture use, but only if it has a substantially open composition, meaning not more than 25 percent of the vertical surface plane is solid when viewed perpendicular to the fence, and it must be removed when the agricultural use ends. In rural open-space districts, fences must be of a design compatible with the intent of the district to minimize visual impacts to the natural setting. Fences in '-d' design review and '-sr' scenic road combining districts are subject to the design review provisions of Chapter 5.50, which can address appearance and materials for visual compatibility. Outside these situations, owners have wide latitude on materials so long as height, placement, and sight clearance rules are met. Because overlay districts can add appearance standards, confirm any visual requirements with County Planning before building.