It can probably be presumed that the lot grading for the subdivision is such that lots are all graded to drain independently out to the street on each individual property, so that creating a drainage problem for a neighbor is not likely, but then again, this lot could have slopes and drainage across lot lines, in which case interruption of flow is an issue. My understanding from another post by the OP on this same garden was that theot was flat, and the intent to build raised beds was more for aesthetics as well as making vegetable raised beds that would have improved soil conditions and be easier to work. The idea of a french drain as sketched out by the OP, which seemed to form a circle at the base of the proposed raised beds but didn't actually connect with anything, didn't seem to make much sense in terms of actually solving a drainage problem, in fact, if the lot is flat, they would seem to have been superfluous to solving the problem of a wet crawl space under the house, which sounds more like it was related to roof downspouts unconnected to drain lines to take it away from the house. I had originally understood the back of the lot to have the lot behind it at a higher grade with a slope beyond the proposed raised beds, but the sketches did not appear to support that line of supposition. In any case, I'd suggest that the OP either hire a competent landscape architect or designer/contractor to give him more informed advice on solving his problems and avoiding unnecessary expense or useless construction, or read up more to become better informed about landscape construction and particularly drainage concerns as they would pertain to his Fremont location. As it is, the questions have been too general to give truly informed advice, and not enough information has been supplied to really address all the potential concerns. I'd hope that these discussions have been sufficient to alert the OP that he needs to either hire some informed help, or get up to speed with the information needed to make the best decisions on how to proceed. There are definitely times when it saves money and expense to hire expertise...

You can do that. The only thing extra that you will have to do is clean out between the bed and the fence. 15" may keep the rabbits out, but it will make it convenient for the deer--they won't have to bend as far. :c) We have a little band of 4 deer who walk down the sidewalk and graze the veggies in the terraced garden behind our house. The automatic light on the corner of the house helps them see what they would like to choose from. Beans and salad veggies--yum! Tomatoes--yuck!

We are working through a very similar problem but add a pool with a 20" concrete deck creating a drop off around the perimeter. We are looking at a mixture of trees and privacy Screens to retain square footage in the space and to create vertical privacy with minimal depth needs. Grasses in such a small space are going to be a lot more maintenance than it's worth but there are many other options. You can use columnar trees instead of privets. Nice choices for small spaces are: Aspens, Sentry Maples, Dawyck Beeches. The screens would provide instant height and give the trees time to grow in so you can buy smaller sizes which would be less expensive. The landscaping hardscape details are huge in small spaces. Raised beds can be great for additional seating. Your space is awesome and has so much potential. Enjoy your planning and project.

I probably wouldn't plant there at all since you're going to be constantly pruning to keep it from pushing onto the sidewalk--anything you put in will need to be trained to the fence itself or it will quickly overhang the right of way. If the goal is to hide the fence, though (and honestly I wouldn't--it's lovely!) you could install a cage on it of some sort and train vines up it. This is jasmine at a grocery store near me (also 9b), supported by a heavy wire cage. I think it's in 12" planting strips, though they might be a bit wider. There's definitely drip irrigation under it. But to do this on a fence you'd need to be sure the fence could support the weight, and it wouldn't be worth the work for me. I'd be more inclined to fill that 12" gap with stones or something else that will discourage weeds and then maybe have something like bougainvillea on the inside of the fence that can peek over.