Fences and walls in Napa: the local rules

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

What Napa's code says

Napa code What Napa's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 2 feet; fences at least 50% open up to 3 feet. Trees need 7-1/2 feet of clearance. Applies: Fences, walls or dense hedges in the vision triangle of a driveway or intersection. § 17.52.170 · code text Fences, walls or dense planting in the form of hedges shall not exceed two feet in height when located in the vision triangle of a driveway or intersection (see Public Works Department standard specifications), however, fences that are at least 50% open shall be permitted up to three feet in height. Trees located in the vision triangle shall be maintained to provide a clearance of seven and one-half feet.
Front yard height	Up to 3 feet if at least 50% open. Applies: Anywhere in the front and side setback. § 17.52.170 · code text 3 feet if 50% open anywhere in setback Up to 3-1/2 feet. Applies: Front and side setback, except in a vision triangle, unless a side-on treatment is approved. § 17.52.170 · code text 3-1/2 feet except when located in "vision triangle" or unless a "side on" treatment is approved (See subsections C and D)
Side and rear yard height	Up to 6 feet, any design. Applies: Side and rear yards. § 17.52.170 · code text 6 feet any design; or 8 feet where the upper 2 feet is an open lattice design; or 8 feet other design with design review Up to 8 feet if the top 2 feet is open lattice. Applies: Side and rear yards. § 17.52.170 · code text 8 feet where the upper 2 feet is an open lattice design* Up to 8 feet for other designs, with design review. Applies: Side and rear yards. § 17.52.170 · code text 8 feet other design with design review* Up to 6 feet. Applies: Approved side-on or back-on treatment; 5 feet back from the side line (to the home's rear) or the rear line of a through lot. § 17.52.170 · code text 6 feet \| 5 feet from side property line to rear of the principal dwelling Up to 8 feet. Applies: Approved side-on or back-on treatment; 10 feet back from the side line (to the home's rear) or the rear line of a through lot. § 17.52.170 · code text 8 feet \| 10 feet from side property line to rear of the principal dwelling
Permit	Yes. A building permit is required. Applies: All fences over 6 feet tall. § 17.52.170 · code text All fences over six feet in height also require building permit.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Napa?

Napa limits fences to 3½ ft in front and side setbacks, 6 ft in side and rear yards, 8 ft with open lattice.

Fences and walls in Napa

Key points

What Napa's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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