Chapter 19.48 — FENCES, DISTANCES BETWEEN BUILDINGS AND EXTENSIONS INTO YARDS

This chapter establishes setback standards and processing requirements for fences in all zoning districts, distances between buildings and extensions into yards. (Ord. 2623-99 § 1; Ord. 2906-09 § 9)

• (a) Definitions.

"Fence" means a barrier of wood, masonry, stone, wire, metal or other material erected to enclose, screen, or separate areas. See subsection (c) of this section for prohibited materials.

"Open fence" means a fence up to four and one-half feet tall with posts spaced at least eight feet apart. The fence structure above three and one-half feet in height must be no more than fifty percent solid, similar to the illustration. Posts or other decorations cannot exceed twelve inches in width or thickness. (See Figure 19.48.020, Open Fences).

• (b) Applicability. Fences are permitted in all zoning districts with permitting requirements as described in Table 19.48.025. Vegetation may be considered a fence and is subject to the requirements of this section.

• (c) Prohibited Materials. It is unlawful to erect any electrically charged fence or any fence composed of barbed wire, razor wire or other material which is designed to cause injury upon contact on or adjacent to any residential use regardless of the underlying zoning. Chain link fences may not be constructed after January 1, 2010 in the front or reducible front yard of residential uses and residential zoning districts.

• (d) Measurement of Fence Height. Fence height in the rear and side yard (not located on a street) is measured from the highest adjoining grade to the highest point of the fence. Fence height in the front and reducible front yard is measured from the top of curb, or street if there is no curb to the highest point of the fence.

• (e) Vision Triangles. All fences, except open fences must meet vision triangle requirements described in Section 19.34.060 (Vision triangles).

• (f) Fences in the Public Right-of-Way. Fences or walls may be built to the existing sidewalk, or if there is a monolithic sidewalk or if there are no sidewalks, to the existing property line; however, nothing in this section shall prohibit the city from exercising its rights pursuant to existing public rights-of-way or easements, and nothing in this section shall be construed as a waiver by the city of its rights thereto. Further, nothing in this section shall be construed as establishing any responsibility on the part of the city for any fence or wall, or portion thereof, which is constructed within the public right-of-way or easement.

• (g) Property Owner Responsibility. It is the responsibility of the affected property owners to determine the desired height for any fence built along a property line.

• (h) Reducible Front Yard Fences. For fences in the required reducible front yards, fences greater than six feet up to eight feet tall may be allowed as a matter of right provided they are set back two feet from the property line for every foot in height above six feet. For

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/SU5020 on 2026-05-11

City of Sunnyvale, CA § 19.48.020

ZONING

§ 19.48.050

example, a seven-foot tall fence must be set back two feet from the property line. Fences that do not meet this setback must obtain approval through a miscellaneous plan permit.

==> picture [139 x 60] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 19.48.020 Open Fences

(Prior zoning code § 19.44.100; Ord. 2623-99 § 1; Ord. 2906-09 § 10; Ord. 2981-12 § 15)

Table 19.48.025 stipulates the permitting and height requirements for fences.

==> picture [424 x 122] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Table 19.48.025
4 ft. or less in Greater than 4 ft. Greater than 6 ft. Greater than 8 ft. in
Location height up to 6 ft. in height up to 8 ft. in height height
Front Yard1 Permitted MPP UP UP
Reducible Front Permitted Permitted See Section UP
Yard 19.48.020(h)
Side or Rear Yard Permitted Permitted Permitted UP
----- End of picture text -----

Notes:

1 Includes the area between the face of the building and the street.

(Ord. 2906-09 § 11)

When more than one detached main building is erected or constructed on the same lot, the distance between such build-ings shall be twenty feet at ground level for buildings of one story height. The distance between detached main buildings at ground level shall be increased three additional feet for the second and each additional story of each building above the first story or for each additional ten-foot unit of height above twenty feet of each building in the event the buildings are not divided by stories. This requirement does not apply to dual urban opportunity dwelling units that are approved pursuant to Chapter 19.78.

(Prior zoning code § 19.44.080; Ord. 2623-99 § 1; Ord. 3189-22 § 9)

A detached garage or other detached accessory structure shall be located either directly adjacent to the structure or at least five feet away from another accessory structure, accessory dwelling unit or main building.

(Prior zoning code § 19.44.090; Ord. 2623-99 § 1; Ord. 2907-09 § 9; Ord. 3105-16 § 9)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/SU5020 on 2026-05-11

City of Sunnyvale, CA § 19.48.050

SUNNYVALE CODE

§ 19.48.100

Any single story main or accessory structure in any residential zoning district, subject to conformance with maximum structural coverage regulations, may extend ten feet into the required rear yard providing the area of such extension does not exceed twenty-five percent of the required rear yard area.

(Prior zoning code § 19.44.110; Ord. 2623-99 § 1; Ord. 2650-00 § 6; Ord. 2907-09 § 10)

Cornices, eaves, canopies, fireplaces and architectural projections may extend into any required yard a distance not to exceed two feet. Bay windows which are cantilevered a minimum of twenty-four inches above ground may project up to two feet into a required yard; provided that, they do not exceed twelve feet in length. Canopies may project into required front yards in industrial and commercial zoning districts for a distance not to exceed ten feet. Uncovered porches or stairways, fire escapes, landing places or that portion of a balcony which extends beyond a support structure may extend into any required front yard (except any reducible front yard or rear yard) a distance of not to exceed six feet and into any required side yard or front yard which may be reduced a distance of not to exceed three feet. In commercial and industrial zoning districts only, marquees and canopies may extend into any front yard of corner lots a distance of not to exceed ten feet.

(Prior zoning code § 19.44.130; Ord. 2623-99 § 1; Ord. 2649-00 § 10)

Raised decks or patios less than eighteen inches in height, measured from the average finished grade within five feet of the deck or patio, must be located not less than three feet from any property line. Raised decks or patios eighteen inches or greater in height must meet the applicable setbacks.

(Prior zoning code § 19.40.070; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)

• (a) Spas and pools which extend more than eighteen inches above grade must meet the side and rear yard setback requirements of the zoning district of the property where such pool or spa is located.

• (b) Pool and spa equipment shall not be constructed or located within three feet of any other structure or any property line, and shall comply with adopted noise requirements.

(c) Covers are required for new pool or spa installations. (Prior zoning code § 19.40.080; Ord. 2623-99 § 1; Ord. 3082-16 § 2)

Mechanical equipment, such as but not limited to heating or air conditioning units, shall not be located between the face of building and the street, and shall be screened from view. Any mechanical equipment which is higher than eighteen inches must meet the side and rear yard setbacks of the zoning district of the property where such equipment is located. All mechanical equipment shall comply with the noise requirements set forth in Section 19.42.030. (Prior zoning code § 19.40.090; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/SU5020 on 2026-05-11

City of Sunnyvale, CA