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South San Francisco · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in South San Francisco

South San Francisco limits fences to 4 feet in front and street-facing side setbacks and 6 feet in interior side and rear setbacks.

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Key points

  • Fence height: South San Francisco limits fences to 4 feet in front and street-facing side setbacks and 6 feet in interior side and rear setbacks.

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

What South San Francisco's code says

South San Francisco code What South San Francisco's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot
  • Fences can be at most 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Outside required setbacks.
    § 20.300.006 · code text
    Outside of required setbacks | Max. 6 ft.; Max. 8 ft. in residential districts with MUP 1 .
  • Fences can be up to 8 feet tall.
    Applies: Outside required setbacks in residential districts, with a Minor Use Permit.
    § 20.300.006 · code text
    Outside of required setbacks | Max. 6 ft.; Max. 8 ft. in residential districts with MUP 1 .
  • Fences can be up to 8 feet tall.
    Applies: Outside required setbacks in residential districts, on top of a retaining wall, if the Chief Planner allows it.
    § 20.300.006 · code text
    The Chief Planner may allow up to 8 ft in residential districts and 10 ft in non-residential districts when a fence is located on top of a retaining wall.
Front yard height
  • Solid fences, walls and dense hedges can be at most 4 feet tall.
    Applies: Required front and street-facing side setbacks.
    § 20.300.006 · code text
    Required front and street-facing side setback | Opaque: Max. height 4 ft Transparent: May exceed 4 ft in height with MUP
Side and rear yard height
  • Fences can be at most 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Required interior side and rear setbacks.
    § 20.300.006 · code text
    Required interior side setback and rear setbacks | Max. 6 ft; Max. 8 ft. in BTP-M, BTP-H, MIM, and MIH districts.
  • Fences can be up to 8 feet tall.
    Applies: Interior side and rear setbacks in residential districts, on top of a retaining wall, if the Chief Planner allows it.
    § 20.300.006 · code text
    The Chief Planner may allow up to 8 ft in residential districts and 10 ft in non-residential districts when a fence is located on top of a retaining wall.
Permit
  • A Minor Use Permit is required for a see-through fence over 4 feet.
    Applies: Required front and street-facing side setbacks.
    § 20.300.006 · code text
    Transparent: May exceed 4 ft in height with MUP
  • A Minor Use Permit is required for a fence over 6 feet, up to 8 feet.
    Applies: Outside required setbacks in residential districts.
    § 20.300.006 · code text
    Outside of required setbacks | Max. 6 ft.; Max. 8 ft. in residential districts with MUP 1 .

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in South San Francisco?

South San Francisco limits fences to 4 feet in front and street-facing side setbacks and 6 feet in interior side and rear setbacks.

General information, not legal advice.

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South San Francisco Municipal Code — full text