If you are planning to install a new fence. The chances are you will need some type of review or permit before you begin.

1). Front Yard femces: Most people dont know any fence in the front yard requires location and design review by the city of Sunnyvale planning Division and may also need a permit. The city has the design guidelines for front yeard fencing that encourage residential style and strongly discourage industrial plain cement blocks.      

2). Good Neighbor fences: The fence that separate properties along the side and rear.  A very popular and attractive good neighbor fence design is a six foot solid fence with a foot of attice along the top for total of seven feet. Any fence more than 6 feet high requires planning division review, a building permit and agreements signed by all affected neighbors. A cpy of the agreement os available at the planning division.

3). A few other tips: Fences taller than 7 feet will require consideration at a public hearing. If you live on a corner lot, there will be special fence setback provisions for your property. Aslo, fence codes change over time, and it cannot be assumed that any fence that has been in place for year, don’t need the permit. If you need more information, you may email to planning@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us