Fences under 7 feet do not require a building permit in Santa Clara County. Retaining walls over 4 feet require permits. Front-yard fences are limited to 3-4 feet depending on whether solid or open.
Under the California Building Code, fences not over 7 feet high do not require a building permit. This applies throughout Santa Clara County. Retaining walls over 4 feet require a permit and engineering. Masonry walls may require permits depending on height and structural design. Front-yard fences are limited to 3 feet (solid) or 4 feet (open). All fences must comply with sight-triangle requirements. Pool barriers must meet California Building Code requirements (minimum 60 inches with self-closing, self-latching gates). While no permit is required for most fences, all fences must comply with zoning setback and height requirements.
Non-compliant fences may be cited by code enforcement. Retaining walls built without permits may require retroactive permits, engineering review, and potential reconstruction.
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See how Santa Clara County's fence permits rules stack up against other locations.
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