Fences, Walls, Hedges

Updated City Laws on Fences, Walls, and Hedges

On June 16, 2014, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 589 amending Chapter 17.52, Fences, Walls and Hedges and Chapter 17.70, Nonconformity Uses, of Title 17, Zoning of the Foster City Municipal Code. The law in Foster City contains many limitations on the allowed height of fences, walls and hedges in residential areas.

Non-Conforming Hedges

For a limited time, through the end of December 2015, the City will allow residents whose hedges have grown beyond the legal height limits to keep their tall hedges if they meet the criteria for grand fathering and if they register them as non-conforming. The form for registering your non-conforming hedge can be downloaded from the Resources section below. Also available below is a tool to help you determine whether your hedge conforms to the current law.

For more information about the City's Ordinance related to fences, walls and hedges in residential areas or to clarify whether a specific hedge needs to be registered as non-conforming, call the Foster City Planning Division at (650) 286-3225 or e-mail planning@fostercity.org.