Skip to content

Portola Valley · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Portola Valley

Portola Valley's fence rules cover horse fences and permits for fences in required yards. Accessory structures fall under their own chapter.

Ask about building on your lot in Portola Valley See coverage

Key points

  • Fences: Fences in required yards need a permit, except those at most 2 feet tall and 20 feet long; horse fences, at most 4 feet.
  • Accessory structures: Portola Valley has a chapter on accessory structures (Chapter 18.42).

Each rule below is marked Portola Valley code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Fences and walls

Portola Valley code What Portola Valley's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot
  • Horse fences may be no more than 4 feet tall.
    Applies: Applies to horse fences.
    § 18.43.060 · code text
    Horse fences shall not exceed four feet in height.
Permit
  • Fences in required yards need a permit, except fences up to 2 feet tall and 20 feet total length.
    § 18.43.080 · code text
    Fence permits are required for construction of all fences built within required yards, except as otherwise specified in this section.

Lot splits under SB 9

Portola Valley code 2 parcels of about equal area; neither may be smaller than 40% of the original lot. No new parcel may be smaller than 1,200 square feet.

All 18 Portola Valley rules on lot splits under sb 9, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Portola Valley code What Portola Valley's code adds
EV charger permit
  • The building official issues all needed permits when the application is complete and meets the town's checklist.
    Applies: Applies when the application meets the town's adopted checklist.
    § 15.22.040 · code text
    A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the town's adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed.
  • Electronic submittal is allowed, and electronic signatures are accepted.
    Applies: Applies to electric vehicle charging permit applications.
    § 15.22.040 · code text
    The building official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentations. In accepting such permit applications, the building official shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by any applicant.
Solar permit process
  • Expedited, nondiscretionary review, including Woodside Fire Protection District review.
    Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems.
    § 15.21.060 · code text
    The building department shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit within three business days of receipt of a complete application including review by Woodside Fire Protection District if the application meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.
  • 1 building department inspection and 1 separate Woodside Fire Protection District inspection.
    Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.
    § 15.21.060 · code text
    Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the building department and one separate inspection is required by the Woodside Fire Protection District for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.
  • The inspection is scheduled within 2 business days of a request.
    Applies: Applies to inspecting an eligible small home rooftop solar system.
    § 15.21.060 · code text
    An inspection will be scheduled within two business days of a request and provide a two- to three-hour inspection window.
Review time
  • The permit is issued within 3 business days.
    Applies: Complete applications meeting the approved checklist and standard plan, including Woodside Fire Protection District review.
    § 15.21.060 · code text
    The building department shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit within three business days of receipt of a complete application including review by Woodside Fire Protection District if the application meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Tree removal

Portola Valley code What Portola Valley's code adds
Permit to remove
  • Yes. A site development permit is required.
    Applies: Removing or harming a significant tree, including placing fill within the dripline or greatly reducing the tree's size.
    § 15.12.070 · code text
    A site development permit shall be required in all cases where development comes under any one or more of the following provisions unless such work is exempted therefrom by subsection B of this section:

Other Portola Valley rules on this

Portola Valley's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Portola Valley?

Fences in required yards need a permit, except those at most 2 feet tall and 20 feet long; horse fences, at most 4 feet.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Portola Valley?

Portola Valley has a chapter on accessory structures (Chapter 18.42). Portola Valley also has a related rule: Accessory structures (Ch. 18.42).

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Portola Valley?

Portola Valley's code: The building official issues all needed permits when the application is complete and meets the town's checklist. (Applies when the application meets the town's adopted checklist.) (§ 15.22.040); Electronic submittal is allowed, and electronic signatures are accepted. (Applies to electric vehicle charging permit applications.) (§ 15.22.040).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Portola Valley?

Portola Valley's code: Yes. A site development permit is required. (Removing or harming a significant tree, including placing fill within the dripline or greatly reducing the tree's size.) (§ 15.12.070).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Portola Valley property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Portola Valley

Portola Valley Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Portola Valley

Buying & selling in Portola Valley

Portola Valley overview