Fence height rules in Woodside, California
Every new fence or wall in Woodside needs a Town fence and/or building permit. The overall height limit is 6 feet (12 feet for athletic court fencing), and no exception can go above 6 feet. Instead of front-yard height limits, fences must be set back from the edge of the road: 10 feet from a public road for fences under 4 feet, and up to 50 feet (30 feet in R-1) for solid fences or walls 4 to 6 feet tall.
| Permit | Fence and/or building permit required for all fences, walls and gates [1] |
| Max height (anywhere) | 6 ft (athletic court fencing 12 ft) [2] |
| Exceptions above 6 ft | Not allowed [3] |
| Open fence 4-6 ft, setback from public road edge | 20 ft (10 ft from a private road) [4] |
| Solid fence/wall 4-6 ft, setback from road edge | 50 ft (30 ft in R-1) [4] |
| Chain link near roads | Not allowed within 50 ft of the road right-of-way [5] |
| Sight distance | Town Engineer can bar fences that block sight lines [6] |
| Repairs without permit | Sections under 100 ft (max 50% of a segment in 12 months) [7] |
Permits
No fence or wall can go up without a Town permit. A building permit and/or fence permit is required for all fences, walls, gates, pylons and berms [1]. The Planning Director can approve fences that meet all the standards. The Architectural and Site Review Administrator can grant exceptions for fences that fit Woodside's rural character, but never above 6 ft [3]. These local permit rules apply even though the state building code exempts many fences from a building permit.
Height and road setbacks
The maximum overall height for fences and gates is 6 ft. Athletic court fencing can be 12 ft [2]. Height is measured from the average finished grade on both sides. Instead of front-yard height limits, Table L-2 requires setbacks from the edge of the adjacent driving surface [4]:
- Open fences under 4 ft: 10 ft from a public road, 5 ft from a private road.
- Open fences 4 to 6 ft: 20 ft (public) or 10 ft (private).
- Solid fences and walls under 4 ft: 10 ft (public) or 5 ft (private).
- Solid fences and walls 4 to 6 ft: 50 ft, or 30 ft in R-1.
- Vehicular gates: 25 ft with the gate open.
- Athletic court fencing: 50 ft.
Fences can't be built in a public or private road right-of-way, or in a trail easement. Next to an equestrian trail, at least 15 ft of usable trail width must remain. The Town Engineer can deny or reduce any fence that would block sight distance [6].
Design
Fences must be rural in character. Open fencing is highly preferred and open gates are required. Natural wood, wire with wood posts, stone and brick are preferred. Chain link (other than sport fencing) isn't allowed within 50 ft of an adjacent roadway right-of-way [5]. Fences in a stream corridor need Town Engineer and Planning Director findings, and the stream corridor rules separately bar structures, including fences, in a corridor (see Building Near the Water). Corral and pasture fences must be at least 4 ft tall.
Replacements and repairs
You can replace a fence with like material at the same height and location, or with a conforming open fence. Repairing short sections of under 100 ft doesn't need a permit [7].
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Next steps
- Check where your fence would sit relative to the edge of the road (public or private) and any trail easements; Table L-2 setbacks are measured from the driving surface, not the property line.
- Apply to the Woodside Planning and Building Departments (Town Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, 650-851-6790) for a fence and/or building permit with a site plan showing location, height and materials.
- Choose open, natural-material fencing; avoid chain link within 50 ft of the road.
- For a gate in a private road right-of-way, plan on a use permit from the Planning Commission.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a fence in Woodside, California?
- Yes. Every new fence, wall, gate, pylon or berm in Woodside needs a Town fence and/or building permit, even though the state building code exempts many fences. Repairing sections of under 100 ft doesn't need a permit.
- What is the maximum fence height in Woodside, California?
- The overall height limit for fences and gates is 6 ft, and athletic court fencing can be 12 ft. No exception can go above 6 ft. Height is measured from the average finished grade on both sides.
- How far must a fence be set back from the road in Woodside, California?
- Setbacks are measured from the edge of the driving surface. Open fences under 4 ft need 10 ft from a public road, open fences 4 to 6 ft need 20 ft, and solid fences or walls 4 to 6 ft need 50 ft, or 30 ft in R-1.
- Is chain link fencing allowed in Woodside, California?
- Not near roads. Chain link, other than sport fencing, isn't allowed within 50 ft of an adjacent roadway right-of-way. Woodside prefers open, rural-style fencing in natural wood, wire with wood posts, stone or brick.
California state rules on fences
Fence height, location and design are mostly set by your city or county zoning code. A few state rules apply everywhere:
- Building permit: the California Residential Code (R105.2) exempts fences up to 7 feet high from a building permit. Pool barriers are not exempt. Zoning height limits still apply, and many cities cap front-yard fences well below 7 feet. Some cities have amended the exemption.
- Spite fences: under Civil Code §841.4, a fence or fence-like structure that unnecessarily exceeds 10 feet and is maliciously put up or kept to annoy a neighbor is a private nuisance. The neighbor can sue to have it removed.
- Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code §841): since January 1, 2014, neighbors are presumed to share equally the reasonable cost of building, maintaining or replacing a fence between their properties, unless they agree otherwise in writing.
- Before spending money on a shared fence, you must give each neighbor 30 days' written notice. The notice must describe the problem, the proposed fix, the estimated cost, how costs would be shared, and the timeline.
- A neighbor can overcome the presumption in court by showing equal sharing would be unjust, for example because of financial hardship or costs driven by the other owner's aesthetic preferences.
- Pool fences must meet the Swimming Pool Safety Act's barrier standards when used as the pool enclosure (see Pools).
- Coastal zone: a new fence may need a coastal development permit, depending on the local coastal program.
What the ordinance says
- Sec. 153.212(A)(2), Municipal Code §153.212 Fences, Walls, Gates, Pylons, and Berms
A building permit and/or a fence permit shall be required for all fences , walls , gates , pylons , and berms.
- Sec. 153.212(B)(4)(a), Municipal Code §153.212 Fences, Walls, Gates, Pylons, and Berms
The maximum overall height limit for fencing and gates is six feet, except athletic court fencing, which may be 12 feet in height .
- Sec. 153.212(B)(2), Municipal Code §153.212 Fences, Walls, Gates, Pylons, and Berms
No exception may be granted, however, which allows a fence , wall , or berm to exceed six feet in height .
- Sec. 153.212(B)(4)(a), Table L-2, Municipal Code §153.212 Fences, Walls, Gates, Pylons, and Berms
Open fences , between 4 feet and 6 feet tall 20 feet 10 feet Solid fences and walls , less than 4 feet tall 10 feet 5 feet Solid fences and walls , between 4 feet and 6 feet tall 50 feet (30 feet in R-1 zoning) 50 feet (30 feet in R-1 zoning)
- Sec. 153.212(B)(3), Municipal Code §153.212 Fences, Walls, Gates, Pylons, and Berms
Chain link fencing, except for athletic sport fencing, is not permitted within 50 feet of the right-of-way of an adjacent roadway, unless an exception is granted pursuant to division (2) above by the Architectural and Site Review Administrator.
- Sec. 153.212(B)(9), Municipal Code §153.212 Fences, Walls, Gates, Pylons, and Berms
No fence , wall , gate , pylon or berm shall be permitted where, in the opinion of the Town Engineer , the additional height would obstruct the sight distance or create a potential public safety hazard.
- Sec. 153.212(B)(12), Municipal Code §153.212 Fences, Walls, Gates, Pylons, and Berms
Repair of short sections (less than 100 feet, not to exceed 50 percent of that segment of fencing over a 12-month period) of existing fences and walls does not require a permit.