Do You Need a Fence Permit in San Francisco?
Sometimes
Fences under 6 feet at the rear and side lot lines at the rear of the property don't need a building permit. Fences over 6 feet in a side or rear yard (up to 10 feet) or over 3 feet in a front yard need a permit with plans, usually reviewed over the counter.
Source: SF.gov: Check if your construction project needs a permit
San Francisco Fence Permits at a Glance
- Permits, last 12 months
- 150
- Issued, last 30 days
- 13
- Median application to issue
- 21 days
- Median declared job value
- $15,000
- Issuing office
- San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI)
- Rule last checked
- October 30, 2026
Permits Issued per Month
Counts are approximate: we match permit types and descriptions to fence work. Data from DataSF: Building Permits, refreshed October 30, 2026.
What San Francisco's Rules Say
- Exempt: fences under 6 ft at rear and side lot lines at the rear.
- Permit with plans: over 6 ft in side or rear yards (max 10 ft) or over 3 ft in the front yard.
- These fences qualify for over-the-counter review.
San Francisco Fence Permit Fees
We have not verified San Francisco's fee for this work from an official fee schedule yet, so we don't quote one. The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) sets the fee when you apply.
Busiest Areas for Fence Permits
| Neighborhood | Permits (12 mo) |
|---|---|
| Bayview Hunters Point | 28 |
| West of Twin Peaks | 14 |
| Mission | 10 |
| Presidio Heights | 9 |
| Noe Valley | 8 |
| Castro/Upper Market | 6 |
How to Get a Fence Permit in San Francisco
- Confirm the rule for your exact job on the official page cited above. Size, height, structure and location (historic district, floodplain) can change the answer.
- Choose who applies. Many permits here must be pulled by a licensed contractor; ask any contractor to name the license they will use.
- Apply with the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) through the official department website.
- Schedule inspections as the permit requires, and keep the final approval with your house records.
Recent San Francisco Fence Permits
| Issued | Address | Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-28 | 1030 Francisco St | revision 202511199960 to incorporate revised structrual design of rear yard foundation support a front yard entry fence/ |
| 2026-10-28 | 3333 Jackson St | to comply with nov #202659970 and to address the creation of a new fence. |
| 2026-10-28 | 457 Ulloa St | comply w/ nov #202662056: revision to #202507070222 & 202508143030 - remove proposed (n) skylight & reconfigure bathroom |
| 2026-10-27 | 3640 17th St | new street facing fence @ rear yard (max 10' height); new window bars at all 1st fl windows; new open trash enclosure @ |
| 2026-10-27 | 2486 Geary Bl | repair damaged existing fence in kind, including replacement of deteriorated post, nails and fence boards as needed. mat |
| 2026-10-20 | 191 Devonshire Wy | add (n) hose bib @ front yard. remove (e) chain link fence along the side & front property line. provide (n) 6ft tall pr |
| 2026-10-19 | 1261 Rhode Island St | to comply with nov 202313138. front yard fence 4 feet height. |
| 2026-10-16 | 2516 Union St | revision to pa# 202602176031: front yard resurfacing and driveway renewal. demolish (e) entry patio, iron fence, and dri |
| 2026-10-14 | 1601 Diamond St | replace fence front and back and also (n) retaining wall on the property line in kind |
| 2026-10-13 | 134 Athens St | revision to permit 201403211426 (recommencement under 202504285375). provide fence, footing, and retaining wall @ rear y |
Addresses and work descriptions as published by the city. Owner names and phone numbers are removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a fence permit in San Francisco?
Sometimes. Fences under 6 feet at the rear and side lot lines at the rear of the property don't need a building permit. Fences over 6 feet in a side or rear yard (up to 10 feet) or over 3 feet in a front yard need a permit with plans, usually reviewed over the counter.
How many fence permits does San Francisco issue?
San Francisco issued 150 permits matching fence work between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026, about 13 a month. The busiest month was Apr 2026 with 32.
How much does a fence permit cost in San Francisco?
We have not yet verified San Francisco's fee for this work from an official fee schedule, so we do not quote one. The fee is set by the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) when you apply.
How long does it take to get a fence permit in San Francisco?
Based on the city's records, the median time from application to issue for these permits was 21 days over the last 12 months.
Who issues fence permits in San Francisco?
The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI).
Related Permit Guides
- San Francisco Roofing Permits
- San Francisco HVAC Permits
- San Francisco Solar Panel Permits
- Seattle Fence Permits
- Chicago Fence Permits
- Fence Permits by City
- Fence Permit Height Limits Compared Across 11 Cities
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- SF.gov: Check if your construction project needs a permit (linked above) (sf.gov)
- SF.gov: Get an OTC permit for your exterior residential project (sf.gov)