Fences and walls in Healdsburg: the local rules

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

What Healdsburg's code says

Healdsburg code What Healdsburg's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot	No more than 12 feet high. Applies: Fences and walls outside required yards. § 20.16.045 · code text The maximum height of fences and walls allowed outside of required yards shall not exceed 12 feet.
Front yard height	No more than 4 feet high, or lower where vision clearance rules apply. Applies: Required front yards in all zones except R-1-20,000 and R-1-40,000. § 20.16.045 · code text Required front yard within all zoning districts except R-1-20,000 and R-1-40,000 Districts: Four feet, except as further restricted for vision clearance per HMC § 20.16.005(E). No more than 6 feet high, or lower where vision clearance rules apply. Applies: R-1-20,000 and R-1-40,000 front yards: see-through fence, 10 feet or more back from the line or road edge, no sidewalk existing or planned. § 20.16.045 · code text Required front yard in R-1-20,000 and R-1-40,000 Districts: Six feet, except as restricted for vision clearance under HMC § 20.16.005(E); and provided further, that the location and design of the fence complies with all of the following requirements: Solid walls or fences may be no more than 4 feet high. Applies: R-1-20,000 and R-1-40,000 required yards facing a street, when the 6-foot front yard conditions are not met. § 20.16.045 · code text Otherwise, walls or fences with opaque siding material (e.g., solid boards) exceeding four feet in height are not allowed within a required yard fronting a street.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 6 feet, plus 2 more feet of 50% open lattice. Applies: Required rear yards and interior side yards. § 20.16.045 · code text Required rear yard and interior side yard: Six feet plus two feet of additional 50 percent open lattice. No more than 6 feet high. Applies: Required side yards facing a street, when 15 feet or more behind the front wall of the main building. § 20.16.045 · code text Required side yard fronting a street: Six feet if located 15 feet or more behind the front wall of the main building. No more than 4 feet high, or lower where vision clearance rules apply. Applies: Required side yards facing a street, when less than 15 feet behind the front wall of the main building. § 20.16.045 · code text Otherwise, the maximum height of a fence or wall located within a side yard fronting a street shall not exceed four feet, except as further restricted for vision clearance under HMC § 20.16.005(E).
Permit	Yes. A building permit is required for fences taller than 7 feet. Applies: Fences taller than 7 feet. § 20.16.055 · code text A building permit is required for fences exceeding seven feet in height.

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How tall can a fence be in Healdsburg?

Healdsburg limits required front yard fences to 4 ft in most districts; rear and interior side yards 6 ft plus 2 ft lattice.

Fences and walls in Healdsburg

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What Healdsburg's code says

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