Fences and walls in Santa Rosa: the local rules

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

What Santa Rosa's code says

Santa Rosa code What Santa Rosa's code adds
Corner visibility	No fence is allowed in a vision triangle, except as the vision triangle rules allow. Applies: For single-family homes in a residential zoning district. § 20-30.060 · code text Within a vision triangle (see Section 20-30.070.E) \| No fence allowed, except as provided by Section 20-30.070.E (Vision Triangles).
Height anywhere on the lot	At most 6 feet tall. Applies: For single-family homes, outside a required setback. § 20-30.060 · code text Outside of a required setback \| 6 feet (2) A 6-foot fence with 2 feet of lattice is allowed by right. Applies: For single-family homes, in an interior side or rear setback, outside the front or street-side setback. Over 7 feet needs a Building Permit. § 20-30.060 · code text A six-foot fence with two feet of lattice is allowed by right in an interior side or rear yard setback, and outside of a required front or street side setback
Front yard height	At most 36 inches tall. Applies: For single-family homes, in the required front yard setback. § 20-30.060 · code text Within required front yard setback \| 36 inches
Side and rear yard height	At most 6 feet tall. Applies: For single-family homes, in an interior side or rear yard setback. § 20-30.060 · code text Within interior side or rear yard setback \| 6 feet (2)
Permit	A Building Permit is required for any fence over 7 feet tall. § 20-30.060 · code text provided that any fence exceeding seven feet in height requires a Building Permit. A taller fence than the standard limits needs Director Conditional Use Permit approval. Applies: Not allowed in a required vision triangle. § 20-30.060 · code text A fence may be constructed to a height in excess of the limits established by Subsection C with Director Conditional Use Permit approval, except within a required vision triangle (Section 20-30.070E). Design Review approval is required. The standard fence height table does not apply. Applies: For fences of multifamily and non-residential properties in a residential zoning district. § 20-30.060 · code text Multifamily dwelling and non-residential properties will require Design Review approval and are not subject to the height limits shown in Table 3-1.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Santa Rosa?

Single family fences: at most 36 inches in the front setback; 6 feet plus 2 feet of lattice in side or rear setbacks.

Fences and walls in Santa Rosa

Key points

What Santa Rosa's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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