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Mill Valley · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in Mill Valley

City rule: without a permit, fences are limited to 7 ft in interior setbacks or outside setbacks, 4 ft in exterior yard setbacks.

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Key points

  • Fence height: City rule: without a permit, fences are limited to 7 ft in interior setbacks or outside setbacks, 4 ft in exterior yard setbacks.

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

What Mill Valley's code says

Mill Valley code What Mill Valley's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot
  • Up to 7 feet high without a fence permit.
    Applies: Entirely on private property, outside the required setbacks or in the interior yard setbacks. Taller fences need a fence permit.
    § 20.60.065 · code text
    Fencing located entirely on a private property outside the required setbacks or within the required interior yard setbacks and not exceeding seven feet in height
Front yard height
  • Up to 4 feet high without a fence permit.
    Applies: In the required exterior yard setbacks. Taller fences need a fence permit.
    § 20.60.065 · code text
    within the required exterior yard setbacks and not exceeding four feet in height
Permit
  • A fence permit is needed in public rights-of-way, or above 4 feet in exterior setbacks or 7 feet elsewhere.
    § 20.60.065 · code text
    Fencing located within public right-of-ways or which exceeds the four-foot and seven-foot height limits require a fence permit from the Planning and Building Department.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Mill Valley?

City rule: without a permit, fences are limited to 7 ft in interior setbacks or outside setbacks, 4 ft in exterior yard setbacks.

General information, not legal advice.

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Mill Valley Municipal Code — full text