San Mateo County, CA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Extra height allowed
- Up to 2 feet
- Coastal Zone parcels
- Not eligible
- Neighbor notice radius
- 300 feet
- Approving official
- Director of Planning and Building
Summary
To build a fence or hedge more than two feet above the standard height limit in unincorporated San Mateo County, owners outside the Coastal Zone must get a discretionary exception approved by the Director of Planning and Building.
On parcels located outside the Coastal Zone, the Director of Planning and Building may approve an exception to allow fences or hedges to exceed the height limits set forth in Section 8.332.010 by up to two (2) feet, providing that: (1) Written notification of the exception request is sent to all owners of property located within 300 feet of the parcel where the fence or hedge is proposed to be placed, and to any member of the public requesting such notification, and...
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
Under Zoning Regulations Section 8.332.040, the Director of Planning and Building may approve an exception allowing a fence or hedge to exceed the height limits in Section 8.332.010 by up to two feet, but only on parcels outside the Coastal Zone. The applicant must send written notice of the request to all property owners within 300 feet and to recognized neighborhood associations, and no one may have filed an unresolved written objection. The Director must also consult Public Works on safety and find the fence compatible with the neighborhood under General Plan Policy 4.14, and may attach design, material, or landscaping conditions to the approval.
Violations & Fines
A fence or hedge built above the Section 8.332.010 height limit without an approved Section 8.332.040 exception does not comply with the Zoning Regulations; Planning and Building can require the owner to modify or remove it to bring the fence into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a taller fence than the standard limit in unincorporated San Mateo County?
Who has to be notified before a taller fence is approved?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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