Before You Build in Redwood City, CA: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Max fence height in Redwood City: 3 ft (solid) or 5 ft (open-top) in the front-yard 15-ft setback, 7 ft on side and rear yards, and 5 ft+ for pool barriers. Permits aren't required under 7 ft. Corner-lot visibility triangle applies.

Fences in Redwood City that comply with height limits typically do not require a building permit. However, fences over 7 feet, retaining walls, or fences with footings may require a permit from the Building Division.

Fence cost-sharing between neighbors in Redwood City is governed by California Civil Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act). Disputes are civil matters; the city does not mediate fence disagreements.

Pool fences in Redwood City must be greater than 5 feet high (California requires minimum 60 inches), self-latching, self-closing, with no climbable protrusions, vertical ground clearance under 2 inches, and no gaps over 4 inches.

New pools in Redwood City require a building permit. Pools must meet California Swimming Pool Safety Act requirements. Anti-entrapment drain covers (Virginia Graeme Baker Act) are required on all pools.

Above-ground pools over 18 inches deep in Redwood City require a building permit and must meet California pool safety fencing requirements. Temporary inflatable pools under 18 inches are generally exempt from permit requirements.

Garage conversions to ADUs are fully permitted in Redwood City per California ADU law. No replacement parking is required. Building permit is required. Conversion ADUs generally have no parking requirements.

Redwood City allows ADUs in all residential zones. One-bedroom ADUs up to 850 sq ft; two+ bedrooms up to 1,000 sq ft. Detached height limit is 24 ft. 4-ft rear/side setbacks. ADUs cannot be STRs (except pre-2020 registrations).

Redwood City Zoning Code Articles 5 (R-1 / RH), 6 (R-2), and 36 (Exterior Site Improvements) treat a carport as an accessory building. In R-1 and R-2 districts, a carport entrance or garage door must sit at least 20 feet behind the front property line, and the carport itself must meet the main building's interior side-yard setback and at least a 6-foot rear-yard setback under Section 36.5. Total accessory-building height is capped at 14 feet (with a 9-foot wall height adjacent to side and rear lines), and a building permit is required for any permanent posts and roof. Hillside parking may be located as close as 5 feet to the street property line at the Director's discretion.

Small accessory structures (sheds) in Redwood City must comply with zoning setbacks and height limits. Sheds under 120 sq ft generally do not require a building permit but must still comply with zoning requirements.

Outdoor fire pits using wood or solid fuel are subject to BAAQMD Spare the Air restrictions and are banned on alert days. Redwood City's fire risk and BAAQMD jurisdiction effectively prohibit most recreational wood burning.

Open burning is banned in Redwood City under BAAQMD Regulation 5. Wood-burning devices cannot be used during Spare the Air Alerts. New construction cannot include wood-burning devices.

Redwood City is served by Cal Water (California Water Service). Outdoor watering restrictions apply under state drought regulations. Year-round water waste prohibitions include no runoff and no irrigation within 48 hours of measurable rain.

Private tree trimming on private property does not require a city permit in Redwood City. Trees near overhead utility lines may require coordination with PG&E. Street trees require city approval before any work.

Private tree removal on private property generally does not require a Redwood City permit. Street tree removal requires city approval. Large or heritage trees may require review under the city's Urban Forest Management Program.