Fences and walls in San Rafael: the local rules

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

What San Rafael's code says

San Rafael code What San Rafael's code adds
Corner visibility	Fences, plants and retaining walls must not block the vision triangle needed for sight distance. Applies: Near driveways or street intersections. § 14.16.140 · code text Fencing, vegetation and retaining walls located near a driveway or street intersection shall not conflict with the vision triangle requirements established to assure adequate sight distance is maintained for vehicles and pedestrians, pursuant to the provisions of Section 14.16.295.
Front yard height	No more than 4 feet high. Applies: Fences and retaining walls in required front or street side yard setbacks in residential districts. § 14.16.140 · code text Fences and retaining walls not exceeding four feet (4′) in height, may be located within the front or street side yard setback eight and one-half feet (8.5′) Applies: minor decorative entryway treatments, such as a trellis arch or lattice arch, within the front or street side yard of residential districts § 14.16.140 · code text Minor decorative entryway treatments no taller than eight and one-half feet (8.5′) in height, such as a trellis arch or a lattice arch, are permitted within the front or street side yard Up to 2 feet above the 4-foot limit. Applies: Residential front or street side yard fences that block access to hazards. Needs administrative design review and an exception. § 14.16.140 · code text Fences in the front yard or street side yard may be increased by a maximum of two feet (2′) to prevent access to natural or physical hazardous conditions either on the lot or on an adjacent lot
Side and rear yard height	No more than 7 feet high. Applies: Fences in required rear or interior side yards in residential districts. § 14.16.140 · code text Fences not exceeding seven feet (7′) in height may be located within the required rear yard or interior side yard No more than 4 feet high. Applies: Retaining walls in required rear or interior side yards in residential districts. § 14.16.140 · code text Retaining walls not exceeding a height of four feet (4′) in height may be located within the required rear yard and interior side yard. Up to 9 feet high. Applies: Interior side or rear yard fences where slope or grade difference warrants it. Needs administrative design review and an exception. § 14.16.140 · code text Fences exceeding seven feet (7′) in height up to nine feet (9′) in height may be located in the required interior side or rear yard where topography or difference in grade between adjoining sites warrants such increase, subject to administrative design review and exception.
Permit	A building permit may be required for fences over 7 feet and retaining walls over 4 feet. Applies: As the building code decides. Also walls that support the next hillside or property improvements. § 14.16.140 · code text A building permit may be required for fences over seven feet (7′) in height and retaining walls over four feet (4′) or walls that support the adjacent hillside or property improvements, as determined by the building code.

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in San Rafael?

In residential districts, fences are limited to 4 feet in front or street side setbacks and 7 feet in rear or interior side yards.

Fences and walls in San Rafael

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What San Rafael's code says

Who this affects

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