Fences and walls in Burlingame: the local rules

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

What Burlingame's code says

Burlingame code What Burlingame's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet, measured from street level. Applies: Fences, walls, hedges, trees, shrubs and similar within 15 feet of an intersection. § 11.12.010 · code text any tree, hedge, brush or shrub, or fence, wall or like structure, over three feet in height measured from the level of the street
Front yard height	At most 3 feet for a solid fence or hedge. Applies: R districts; front setback and 15 feet on either side of the front entry door; not in a clear sight triangle. § 25.31.070 · code text In any front setback, fences and hedges shall be limited to a maximum height of three feet if it is of a solid design At most 4 feet for an open fence that lets light and air through. Applies: R districts; front setback and 15 feet on either side of the front entry door; not in a clear sight triangle. § 25.31.070 · code text or four feet if it is of an open design freely allowing light and air to pass through.
Side and rear yard height	At most 6 feet. Applies: R districts; side or rear setback. § 25.31.070 · code text In any side or rear setback, fences shall be limited to a maximum height of six feet Up to 7 feet, if the top foot is open and lets light and air through. Applies: R districts; side or rear setback. § 25.31.070 · code text except that one additional foot up to seven feet is allowed if the last foot in height is of an open design freely allowing light and air to pass through.
Permit	Yes. A building permit is required. Applies: Any fence over 6 feet tall, alone or on top of a wall, in total height. § 25.31.070 · code text Any fence exceeding six feet in height, whether alone or atop a wall exceeding six feet in total height, shall require a building permit. Yes. A building permit is required. Applies: Any fence over 3 feet tall on a corner lot. § 25.31.070 · code text In addition, a building permit shall be required for any fence that exceeds three feet in height located on any corner lot.

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Burlingame?

In R districts, Burlingame limits front-setback fences to 3 feet (4 if open), side and rear ones to 6 feet (7, top foot open).

Fences and walls in Burlingame

Key points

What Burlingame's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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