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.
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale permits construction noise Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM. No construction on Sundays or major holidays without ...
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale was one of the earliest California cities to ban gas-powered leaf blowers, ahead of statewide AB 1346. Only electric or battery blowers are allowed...
Sunnyvale, CA
Aircraft noise from Moffett Federal Airfield, NASA Ames, and San Jose International is preempted by federal FAA rules. Sunnyvale cannot regulate overflight n...
Sunnyvale, CA
Street parking in Sunnyvale is governed by SMC Title 10 and California Vehicle Code. The 72-hour rule (CVC 22651(k)) applies, and posted permit zones restric...
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale driveway construction and use are governed by SMC Title 19 zoning and Title 16 encroachment rules. Blocking sidewalks or the public right-of-way is...
Sunnyvale, CA
RVs, trailers, and boats over 6 feet tall or 22 feet long are restricted on Sunnyvale streets under SMC Title 10. Short-term loading is allowed with limits; ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how Sunnyvale's fence permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.