San Jose · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in San Jose

Residential fences are limited to 3 feet in the front setback and 7 feet in rear and side setbacks of interior lots (city rule).

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Key points

Fence height: Residential fences are limited to 3 feet in the front setback and 7 feet in rear and side setbacks of interior lots (city rule).

Each rule below links to the section of the San Jose Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What San Jose's code says

San Jose code What San Jose's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet in the corner triangle. Single-stem plants or bare trees may be 3 to 8 feet. Applies: Fences at the intersection of any two streets. § 17.24.030 · code text A fence located at the intersection of any two streets shall not exceed three feet in height within the corner triangle; provided however, that single-stem plants or trees without foliage with a height between three feet and eight feet may be planted and maintained within the corner triangle on any corner lot.
Height anywhere on the lot	No more than 7 feet high, unless specifically allowed by code or a development permit. § 17.24.050 · code text No fence may be erected or constructed which exceeds seven feet in height except as specifically allowed by Sections 17.24.030, and 17.24.060 through 17.24.150 inclusive, or by a development permit pursuant to Chapter 20.100 of Title 20 of the code.
Front yard height	No more than 3 feet high. Applies: Front setback area of interior and corner lots used for homes. § 17.24.030 · code text Front setback area: Fences not over three feet in height in the front setback area. No more than 6 feet high. Applies: Interior lots: the buildable area between the front setback and the front of the house. § 17.24.030 · code text Buildable area: Fences not over six feet in height in the buildable area between the front setback and the front of any existing or proposed residence.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 7 feet high. Applies: Rear setback area of interior lots. § 17.24.030 · code text Rear setback area: Fences not over seven feet in height in the rear setback area. No more than 7 feet high. Applies: Side setback area of interior lots. § 17.24.030 · code text Side setback area: Fences not over seven feet in height in the side setback area. No more than 7 feet high. Applies: Rear setback area of corner lots. § 17.24.030 · code text Rear setback area: Fences not over seven feet in height in the rear setback area. three feet Applies: Corner lots; rear setback area backing onto a side setback area of an adjacent key lot or corner lot, for twelve and one-half feet from the street property line and fifteen feet from the rear lot line § 17.24.030 · code text such fences shall not exceed three feet in height for a distance of twelve and one-half feet measured from the street property line and fifteen feet as measured from the rear lot line No more than 6 feet high. Applies: Corner lots: rear setback area next to a street, at least 5 feet from the lot line inside the sidewalk. § 17.24.030 · code text nor shall any fence exceed six feet in height in any rear setback area adjacent to a street so long as such fence is at least five feet from the lot line inside the sidewalk. No more than 3 feet high. Applies: Corner lots: rear setback area next to a street, within 5 feet of the lot line inside the sidewalk. § 17.24.030 · code text No fence shall exceed three feet in height in any rear setback area adjacent to a street between the lot line inside the sidewalk and five feet from the lot line inside the sidewalk. No more than 6 feet high. Applies: Corner lots: side setback area next to a street, at least 5 feet from the lot line inside the sidewalk. § 17.24.030 · code text Fences not over six feet in height in any side setback area adjacent to a street so long as such fence is at least five feet away from the lot line inside the sidewalk. No more than 3 feet high. Applies: Corner lots: side setback area next to a street, within 5 feet of the lot line inside the sidewalk. § 17.24.030 · code text No fence shall exceed three feet in height in any side setback area adjacent to a street between the lot line inside the sidewalk and five feet from the lot line inside the sidewalk.
Permit	A development permit may allow a fence over 7 feet. Applies: Fences over 7 feet high. § 17.24.050 · code text No fence may be erected or constructed which exceeds seven feet in height except as specifically allowed by Sections 17.24.030, and 17.24.060 through 17.24.150 inclusive, or by a development permit pursuant to Chapter 20.100 of Title 20 of the code.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in San Jose?

Residential fences are limited to 3 feet in the front setback and 7 feet in rear and side setbacks of interior lots (city rule).

General information, not legal advice.

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