San Leandro Height Limits Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

The San Leandro Zoning Ordinance, part of the San Leandro Municipal Code, establishes fence and wall height limits that vary by zoning district and by the fence's location on the lot. These regulations balance property owners' privacy and security interests with the city's goals of maintaining neighborhood aesthetics, street visibility, and traffic safety.

In all residential zoning districts (RS, RD, RM zones), the following height limits apply:

Front yard setback area: Fences, walls, and hedges are limited to a maximum of 3 feet (36 inches) in height as measured from the adjacent grade level. The front yard setback is the area between the front property line and the required front setback line established by the zoning district (typically 20 feet from the front property line in single-family zones). This relatively low height limit maintains an open streetscape character consistent with San Leandro's traditional residential neighborhood design.

Side yard and rear yard areas: Fences, walls, and hedges may be up to 6 feet in height as measured from the adjacent finished grade on the higher side. The 6-foot limit applies to portions of the side yard extending from the front setback line to the rear property line, and to the entire rear yard boundary.

Corner lots and sight triangles: On corner lots, fences within the sight-visibility triangle at the street intersection are limited to 3 feet in height. The sight triangle is typically defined as the area within 25 feet of the intersection of the two property lines adjacent to the street. This restriction ensures that drivers and pedestrians can see approaching traffic at the intersection — a critical safety consideration on San Leandro's many residential corner lots.

Retaining walls: Retaining walls are measured separately from fences. A retaining wall with a fence on top is measured from the base of the retaining wall on the lower side, and the combined height of the retaining wall and fence must not exceed the applicable height limit for that location. In San Leandro's hillside neighborhoods (Upper San Leandro, Broadmoor, Bay-O-Vista), retaining walls are common and the combined height calculation is an important design consideration.

Height measurement: Fence height is measured from the finished grade on the higher side of the fence. On sloping lots, the fence may appear taller from the downhill side, but measurement is taken from the higher adjacent grade.

Property owners who wish to exceed the standard height limits must apply for a variance from the San Leandro Board of Zoning Adjustments through the Community Development Department. Variance applications require demonstrating that the strict application of the height limit would create an unnecessary hardship specific to the property. The Community Development Department can be reached at (510) 577-3321.