Redwood City, CA: if you’re comparing an automatic gate company in Redwood City, start with the fence code, because it decides how tall your gate can be and whether you need a permit. Here’s what to know before you call a gate company.
Published: October 1, 2026 at 3:19 AM PDT
Automatic Gate Company Redwood City: Quick Overview
- Solid fences in a Redwood City required front yard max out at 3 feet. Combination solid/open fences can reach 5 feet.
- Side and rear yard fences can go up to 7 feet, and the 10-foot Architectural Permit exception does not apply in residential districts.
- Fences on the street side of a corner lot are capped at 6 feet.
- Nothing solid taller than 3 feet is allowed inside the 15-foot vision triangle at a driveway or street corner.
- Fences up to 7 feet are exempt from a city building permit.
- Redwood Shores homes sit inside 26 HOAs, and most exterior changes need HOA or design board approval before the city permit.
- The city has about 82,447 residents and a 2024 median household income near $157,814.
Why Are Redwood City Homeowners Installing Automatic Gates in 2026?
Property crime in Redwood City runs around 16 incidents per 1,000 residents, according to NeighborhoodScout, and theft makes up most of it (roughly 12 thefts per 1,000 residents versus about 1 burglary). Gates don’t stop every theft, but a closed driveway gate with an access control system keeps casual trespassers and porch-to-garage opportunists off your property.
Money plays a part too. With a median household income of about $157,814 and homes in Mount Carmel selling around $2.51 million, owners here protect real investments. Add a median age of 37.5 and plenty of families with kids and pets, and you get steady demand for gates that close on their own and don’t depend on someone remembering to latch a hinge.
What Does Redwood City’s Fence and Gate Code Require?
Redwood City regulates fences and gates in Article 36 of its zoning code, and gates count as part of the fence. The table below summarizes the residential rules. Read the full text on Redwood City’s Municode zoning code and in the city’s own guide, Fences, Sheds, Pools and Other Site Improvements in the R Zoning Districts.
| Location | Rule |
|---|---|
| Required front yard, solid fence | 3 ft maximum |
| Required front yard, solid/open combination | 5 ft maximum |
| Side or rear yard | 7 ft maximum |
| Street side of a corner lot | 6 ft maximum |
| Vision triangle (15 ft at driveways and corners) | No solid fence or hedge over 3 ft |
| Building permit | Not required for fences up to 7 ft |
Height is measured from the lowest adjoining grade, and lattice or decorative toppers count toward the total. An “open” fence must let you see through at least 80% of any square foot, so a swing gate with widely spaced pickets can qualify for the 5-foot front yard limit while a solid wood gate cannot. If your plan includes a motor, ask the Building Division whether the operator wiring needs its own electrical permit.
What Should You Look for in an Automatic Gate Company in Redwood City?
- A California contractor license that you can check on the state license board’s website, plus current liability insurance.
- Willingness to read the zoning rules for your lot (front yard, corner lot, vision triangle) before quoting a height.
- Experience with HOA and design board submittals if you live in Redwood Shores.
- Written quotes that name the operator brand, safety sensors, battery backup and warranty terms.
- Local service. Gates fail at 6 a.m. on a Monday, and you want a crew that can reach Redwood City quickly.
- Real reviews from nearby jobs, not just a gallery of stock photos.
Popular Redwood City Neighborhoods Seeing Gate Installations and Upgrades
Woodside Plaza has about 3,719 residents, 84% of them homeowners, and a lot of mid-century houses on tree-lined streets. Owners there tend to keep homes for decades, so they replace worn gates rather than add flashy ones. Mount Carmel has early 20th century houses, many of them renovated, and the lots reward gates that match the old-house look in wrought iron or wood.
Redwood Shores has 4,084 residential units, including 3,173 single-family homes across 26 HOAs. Exterior changes, fences included, go through the Redwood Shores Owners Association or the Architectural Design Board first. See the RSOA page on how to get project approval. Palm Park, west of El Camino Real, is one of the city’s more affordable residential areas ($1.1 to $1.2 million), and its homeowners often start with a simple driveway slide or swing gate.
Emerald Hills began as 1920s vacation homes around Upper and Lower Emerald Lake. It is unincorporated, west of Redwood City and east of I-280, so county rules can apply instead of the city’s. Confirm which jurisdiction your parcel is in before any gate company draws plans.
Choosing the Right Gate System for Your Property
Swing gates suit level driveways with room for the leaf to open. Slide gates work on tight, sloped or busy-street frontages. For either type, the gate opener matters more than the gate itself. Pick one rated for the gate’s weight and your daily cycle count, and add safety edges and photo eyes so the gate stops when something is in its path. Access control systems such as keypads, intercoms and smartphone openers let family and delivery drivers in without leaving the gate open. Where your gate meets the vision triangle, keep the design open so drivers can see pedestrians.
Frequently Asked Questions About an Automatic Gate Company in Redwood City
Do I need a permit to install a gate in Redwood City?
Usually not for the gate structure. Redwood City exempts fences up to 7 feet from a building permit, and gates are treated as part of the fence. You may still need an electrical permit for a motorized operator, and HOA approval in Redwood Shores. Call the Building Division with your address to confirm.
How tall can my front yard gate be in Redwood City?
A solid gate in the required front yard can be 3 feet tall. An open or combination gate can reach 5 feet if at least 80% of each square foot is see-through. Side and rear yard gates can reach 7 feet. Corner lots are limited to 6 feet on the street side.
How much does an automatic gate cost in Redwood City?
Most residential automatic gate projects in the Bay Area run roughly $3,000 to $10,000, depending on gate size, material, operator and access control. Custom iron or wood designs cost more. Any reputable company should give you a written, itemized quote after seeing your driveway.
How long does automatic gate installation take?
Adding an operator to an existing gate usually takes one day. A full new gate with posts, concrete, wiring and access control typically takes several days of work, plus fabrication time for custom gates. HOA or permit review can add weeks before work begins.
Should I repair or replace my old gate opener?
Repair it if the gate frame is sound and the opener is under about 10 years old with parts still available. Replace it if the motor keeps failing, the board is obsolete or the gate lacks modern safety sensors. A technician can usually tell you in one visit.
Work With a Redwood City Gate Team That Knows the Code
Automatic Gate Pros serves Redwood City from our San Jose office. See our Redwood City gate installation page for what we install, then contact us for a quote that already accounts for your lot’s height limits, vision triangle and any HOA review.
Summary: Choosing an Automatic Gate Company in Redwood City
Redwood City’s code sets clear limits: 3 feet solid or 5 feet open in front, 7 feet on the sides and rear, 6 feet on a corner street side, and a 3-foot cap in the 15-foot vision triangle. Fences up to 7 feet skip the city building permit, but HOAs and motor wiring can add steps.
Pick a licensed installer who checks your lot against the code first. Book a free estimate and we’ll walk your property with you.
Contact Information:
Automatic Gate Pros
701 Kings Row 5A, San Jose, CA 95190
Phone: (855) 961-4691
Email: Gatepros.office@gmail.com
Website: automatic-gatepros.com