A building permit is required for construction of fences 4 feet in height or taller. 

Application Requirement:

1. Application - make sure to describe the fence material and height
2. Site plan drawn on a plat or survey. 
3. Pool fences require specific design criteria. See Pools webpage for details.

NOTE: Fences constructed within a utility or drainage easement are subject to damage or removal due to repairs and maintenance within the easement. Repairs or replacement of the fence will be the responsibility of the owner.

Fence Standards for All Zoning Districts:

1. No fence taller than four (4) feet can be installed within 40 feet of the right-of-way of an arterial or collector street.
2. For any lot next to a greenbelt along a collector street, no fence taller than four (4) feet can be installed within 35 feet of the right-of-way of that street.
3. No fence can block the view at an intersection or create a traffic hazard in the opinion of the City Engineer.
4. No fence can prevent or restrict access for emergency response in the opinion of the Fire Chief.
5. Fences may be located on the property line, but the finished side of a fence must always face the exterior (pretty side out).
6. No fence shall be installed within four (4) feet of the edge of a paved cart path. No fence may encroach into an undisturbed buffer area.
7. Wire fencing may be attached to the interior of, or made a part of, any fence, so long as the wire is vinyl coated or painted in a standard dark brown, dark green or black color. See additional restrictions on metal fencing below. 
8. The property owner must keep the fence in good repair so that it presents a neat and orderly appearance to surrounding property owners and to the general public.
9. Any fence damaged by accident or an act of God shall be properly repaired within 90 days of the occurrence.

Residential Fence Standards:

1. Fences built along a property line adjacent to a street shall be no taller than 4 feet and must be design so that no more than 50% of the view is restricted (such as some picket fence designs)
2. The maximum height for a fence inside the side or rear setback is six (6) feet (except along streets, see #1 above). Newels, finials and decorative features on the fence may not be more than seven (7) feet from the ground.
3. Except in ER and AR zoning districts, chain link and other wire fences are not permitted in the front yard or between a house and the adjacent street.
4. No metal fences are permitted unless the exposed metal is vinyl-coated or painted a standard dark brown, dark green, or black color to blend into the natural surroundings.
5. The maximum height for a fence outside the required setback is eight (8) feet, except tennis court fences may be ten (10) feet tall.

Commercial Fence Standards:

1. No fence or portion of a fence shall exceed eight feet in height, unless specifically approved in accordance with the site plan review process in the land development ordinance; however, in no instance shall any fence exceed ten feet in height.
2. No fence comprised of metal parts shall be installed in a commercial area unless all exposed metal parts are vinyl-coated or painted a standard dark brown, dark green or black color to blend into the natural surroundings.
3. No fence which is constructed of wire, including chain link fencing, and no fence in excess of four feet in height shall be installed between the principal structure on a zoning lot and any adjoining street right-of-way line. On a zoning lot with multiple street frontages, this restriction shall apply on all street frontages. On a zoning lot with no principal building erected on the lot, this restriction shall apply to required setback areas that adjoin a street right-of-way.

Industrial Fence Standards:

The information contained herein is not all inclusive. For further information, contact: the Building Department, 770-487-8901

Apply: