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Title 18 — Development Code

Chapter 18.26 — Fences, Hedges, and Walls

East Palo Alto Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · East Palo Alto

Sections:

  • 18.26.010 – Purpose and Applicability 18.26.020 – Location and Height

  • 18.26.030 – Measurement of Fence or Wall Height

18.26.010 – Purpose and Applicability

  • A. Purpose . This chapter establishes standards for the construction and maintenance of fences and walls, and the planting and maintenance of hedges used for screening or buffering purposes. The standards are intended to ensure that all fences, hedges, and walls provide desired privacy and safety but do not create a public safety hazard or nuisance, and meet the City’s standards for quality design and maintenance

  • B. Applicability . The regulations in this chapter apply to all fences, hedges, and walls in all zones.

18.26.020 – Location and Height

  • A. General . Fences, hedges, and walls shall be subject to all of the following regulations, unless an exception applies.

    1. Fences, walls, and hedges not exceeding four feet in height may occupy any front setback area. See Figure 3-3.

    2. Fences, walls, and hedges not exceeding six feet in height may occupy any side or rear setback area, provided:

      • a. They do not extend into any required front setback; and

      • b. In the case of a corner parcel, they do not extend into the side setback area required along a side street or into that portion of the rear setback area abutting a side street that is equal to the width of the side setback required on the side street.

    3. The installation of fences, hedges or walls for the expressed purpose of creating a gated community is expressly prohibited by the City.

East Palo Alto Development Code, Title 18

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Chapter 18.26

Fences, Hedges, and Walls

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Figure 3-3 – Fence Height

East Palo Alto Development Code, Title 18

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Chapter 18.26

Article 3 – Regulations Applicable to All Zones

  • B. Corner Vision Triangle . All fences, hedges, and walls shall comply with the height limitations required for safe vision.

  • C. Trees to be Trimmed . Where trees are located within 25 feet on the intersected street lines, the main trunks of the trees shall be trimmed free of branches to a height of seven feet above the grade of the nearest street curb.

  • D. Prohibited Fence Materials . Barbed wire, electric fence, razor wire, and other similar materials are prohibited in all zones.

18.26.030 – Measurement of Fence or Wall Height

  • A. Flat Elevation . Fence height shall be measured as the vertical distance between the highest finished grade of the ground abutting the fence and the top edge of the fence material. Adjacent grades shall not be artificially elevated in order to allow for a fence or wall that is higher than the allowable maximum height.

  • B. Uneven Grade . Whenever there exists an abrupt shift in the height of the land at the boundary between two property owners the lower owner may erect a fence, wall or hedge on the boundary to the height limit, but in no event shall it be more than eight feet in height.

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East Palo Alto Development Code, Title 18

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Chapter 18.28

Article 3 – Regulations Applicable to All Zones

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▸ Contents — East Palo Alto Zoning Code
East Palo Alto Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Title 18 — Development Code
    Overview
    1. Article 1
    2. Chapter 18.02 — Purpose and Applicability of Development Code
    3. Chapter 18.04 — Interpretation of the Development Code Provisi…
    4. Chapter 18.06 — Zones and Zoning Map
    5. Chapter 18.08 — Definitions
    6. Chapter 18.10 — Residential Zones (R-LD, R-MD, R-HD, and R-UHD)
    7. Chapter 18.12 — Mixed Use Zones (MUC, MUL, and MUH)
    8. Chapter 18.14 — Commercial Zones (C-G, C-N, and C-O)
    9. Chapter 18.16 — Special Purpose Zones (PI, PR, and RM)
    10. Chapter 18.18 — Specific Plans
    11. Chapter 18.22 — Site Planning and General Development Standards
    12. Chapter 18.24 — Accessory Structures
    13. Chapter 18.26 — Fences, Hedges, and Walls
    14. Chapter 18.28 — Landscaping and Trees
    15. Chapter 18.30 — Off-Street Parking and Loading
    16. Chapter 18.32 — Signs
    17. Chapter 18.34 — Performance Standards
    18. Chapter 18.35 — Affordable Housing – Basic Provisions
    19. Chapter 18.36 — Affordable Housing - Density Bonus
    20. Chapter 18.38 — Affordable Housing Impact Fee – Residential De…
    21. Chapter 18.40 — Affordable Housing Impact Fee – Nonresidential…
    22. Chapter 18.42 — Wireless Communications Facilities
    23. Chapter 18.48 — Regulations for Specific Land Uses and Activit…
    24. Chapter 18.50 — General Provisions
    25. Chapter 18.52 — Tentative Map Filing and Processing
    26. Chapter 18.54 — Parcel Maps and Final Maps
    27. Chapter 18.56 — Additional Subdivision Procedures
    28. Chapter 18.58 — Subdivision Design and Improvements
    29. Chapter 18.60 — Dedications, Reservations, and Exactions
    30. Chapter 18.62 — Dedication of Land for Park and Recreational P…
    31. Chapter 18.64 — Residential Condominiums
    32. Chapter 18.66 — Residential Condominium Conversions
    33. Chapter 18.68 — Non-Residential Condominiums
    34. Chapter 18.70 — Enforcement
    35. Chapter 18.72 — Nonconforming Uses, Structures, and Parcels
    36. Chapter 18.74 — Nonconforming Uses
    37. Chapter 18.76 — Nonconforming Structures
    38. Chapter 18.78 — Nonconforming Parcels
  2. Title 18 — Development Code Article 7 –

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