Fences and walls in Alameda: the local rules

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

What Alameda's code says

Alameda code What Alameda's code adds
Corner visibility	No fence or other barrier can be taller than 3 feet in a visibility zone. Applies: Visibility zones where 2 vehicle travel ways meet, as set by the City Engineer, usually a triangle with sides of at least 20 feet. § 30-5.14 · code text In visibility zones no barrier shall exceed three (3′) feet in height. Hedges, shrubs and trees can be no higher than 4 feet above the street level at the curb. Applies: On corner lots, within 15 feet of where the property lines meet at the street corner. § 23-3.6 · code text It shall be unlawful for the owners or occupants of any corner lot or premises in the City to keep, permit or maintain hedges, shrubs, trees or any growth between the curb line and the property line or within the private lot or premises for a distance of fifteen (15°) feet measured horizontally from the point of intersection of the property lines at street corners unless the hedges, shrubs, trees or other growth are so trimmed that the height of same shall not exceed four (4°) feet above the level of the street at the curb, except as follows: Trees with trunks bare up to 8 feet above street level do not need to be trimmed. Applies: On corner lots, unless the police Traffic Division finds the tree is a traffic hazard. § 23-3.6 · code text That trees, the main stalks or trunks of which are exposed to a height of eight (8°) feet above the street level need not be so trimmed or cut unless said trees are determined to constitute and be a traffic hazard by the Traffic Division of the City Police Department, which determination of the Traffic Division may be reviewed by the City Planning Board upon written application for such review.
Front yard height	Front yard fences and barriers can be no more than 3 feet tall. Applies: Front yards of residentially zoned or developed properties, unless another part of this rule allows more. § 30-5.14 · code text In front yards on residentially zoned or developed properties barriers shall not exceed three (3′) feet in height except as permitted elsewhere in this subsection. A 3-foot fence can be extended up to 4 feet with see-through fencing. Applies: Barriers otherwise limited to 3 feet, when the added part is see-through fencing material. § 30-5.14 · code text Barriers otherwise limited to three (3′) feet in height may be vertically extended up to four (4′) feet in height with see-through style fencing material. A 3-foot fence can be extended up to 5 feet with see-through fencing, with Planning Director approval. Applies: Barriers otherwise limited to 3 feet; the added part must be see-through, and the Planning Director must approve it. § 30-5.14 · code text Barriers otherwise limited to three (3′) feet in height may be vertically extended up to five (5′) feet with see-through style fencing material, subject to approval by the Planning Director, who shall consider the compatibility of the fence design with its site and surrounding uses.
Side and rear yard height	Side and rear yard fences and barriers can be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Side and rear yards of residentially zoned or developed properties, unless another part of this rule allows more. § 30-5.14 · code text In side and rear yards on residentially zoned or developed properties barriers shall not exceed six (6′) feet in height, except as permitted elsewhere in this subsection. A 6-foot fence can be extended up to 8 feet with see-through fencing. Applies: Barriers otherwise limited to 6 feet, when the added part is see-through fencing material. § 30-5.14 · code text Barriers otherwise limited to six (6′) feet in height may be extended up to eight (8′) feet in height with see-through style fencing material. Chain-link fences up to 6 feet tall may be allowed. Applies: Rear and side yards of homes; not street side yards, rear yards of corner or double-frontage lots, or yards next to public or quasi-public uses. § 30-5.14 · code text Chain-link fences up to six (6′) feet in height may be permitted in rear and side yards on residentially developed properties, where such yard is not a street side yard nor a rear yard of a corner or double-frontage lot, and where any such yard is not adjacent to public and quasi-public land uses.

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Alameda?

Alameda limits front-yard fences to 3 feet, or 4 feet with see-through fencing, or 5 with see-through fencing and Planning Director approval. Alameda limits side- and rear-yard fences to 6 feet, or 8 feet with see-through fencing material.

Fences and walls in Alameda

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What Alameda's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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