Fences and walls in Palo Alto: the local rules

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

What Palo Alto's code says

Palo Alto code What Palo Alto's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet above curb grade in the corner triangle reaching 35 feet along each curb line. Applies: For fences, walls or similar structures at the intersection of streets used by vehicles. § 16.24.040 · code text A fence, wall or structure in the nature of a fence located at the intersection of any street improved for vehicular traffic, shall not exceed three feet in height above the adjacent curb grade, within a triangular area formed by the curblines, and their projection, and a line connecting them at points thirty-five feet from the intersection of the projected curblines.
Height anywhere on the lot	Up to 4 feet. Applies: For fences, walls or similar structures between the street setback line and the lot line, unless another rule applies. § 16.24.020 · code text A fence, wall, or other structure in the nature of a fence located between the street setback line and the lot line, shall be permitted up to four feet in height, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. Up to 6 feet. Applies: In front and street side yard setbacks of homes facing University Avenue, between Middlefield Road and the eastern city limit. § 16.24.020 · code text A fence, wall or other structure in the nature of a fence, up to six feet in height, except as otherwise provided in Section 16.24.040, may be located within the front and street side yard setbacks on residential property having street frontage on University Avenue, between Middlefield Road and the eastern city limit Posts or columns up to 7 feet high. Applies: Structural and decorative posts on University Avenue fences, no more than 18 inches wide and at least 6 feet apart center to center. § 16.24.020 · code text Structural and decorative posts or columns, not exceeding seven feet in height or eighteen inches in width, and spaced no closer than six feet apart, from center to center, shall be permitted; Up to 10 feet. Applies: Rear of single-family sites by San Francisquito Creek fronting Edgewood Drive, if the flood-control easement area is reconfigured after January 1, 2002. § 16.24.020 · code text A fence or wall up to ten feet in height may be located at the rear of any single family residential site adjacent to San Francisquito Creek and fronting on Edgewood Drive if the portion of the site subject to a permanent easement in favor of the Santa Clara Valley Water District (or its successor in interest) for flood control purposes is reconfigured after January 1, 2002. No more than 8 feet, of solid board or similar material. Applies: Where homes border frontage roads, railroad rights-of-way, industrial or commercial areas, or public property other than a street. § 16.24.050 · code text Where residential properties abut frontage roads, railroad rights-of-way, industrial or commercial areas, or public property other than a public street, fences of solid board or similar materials may be constructed to a height not to exceed eight feet.
Front yard height	No more than 6 feet. Applies: Behind the street setback line in a front yard or other street side yard. § 16.24.020 · code text A fence, wall, or other structure in the nature of a fence, located beyond the street setback line in a front yard or other street side yard shall not exceed six feet in height
Side and rear yard height	No more than 7 feet. Applies: Behind the street setback line in an interior side yard or rear yard. § 16.24.020 · code text A fence, wall or other structure in the nature of a fence, located beyond the street setback line in an interior side yard or rear yard, shall not exceed seven feet in height

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Palo Alto?

Fences: at most 4 feet in the street setback; beyond it, 6 feet in street yards, 7 in interior side and rear yards.

Fences and walls in Palo Alto

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What Palo Alto's code says

Who this affects

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