Construction Services & Inspections

Fences may not be located closer than three feet to any publicly maintained right of way (such as an alley or a street). There are no minimum setbacks from other property lines.  Fences may not be constructed in drainage easements or floodways. You are required to call Gopher One Call Before You Dig, 800-252-1166 or 651-454-0002.

• In residential zone districts, the maximum height allowed for a fence in the front yard (the area between the house and the street) is four feet. Exceptions may be made to allow fences up to six feet in the front yard, but only if the fence is at least 50% open or transparent, such as an ornamental wrought iron fence or wood picket fences (where the boards, and spaces between the boards, must be of equal width). Fences in the side or rear yard may be up to eight feet in height.
• In a mixed use or special purpose zone district, the maximum allowed height for fences is eight feet. Exceptions may be granted by the Land Use Supervisor for fences up to twelve feet in height, if needed due to legitimate public safety concerns.
• In form districts, fences are not allowed in the required front yard areas except to enclose outdoor patio or dining areas, in which case the maximum height is three feet. Otherwise, the maximum height allowed for fences is eight feet.  Exceptions may be granted by the Land Use Supervisor for fences up to twelve feet in height, if needed due to legitimate public safety concerns.
• In all zone districts, fences exceeding seven feet in height must be designed by a structural engineer with plans submitted with a building permit application.

• No electric, barbed wire, razor wire or plastic (snow) temporary fencing is allowed.
• In residential zone districts, chain link fences are allowed in the rear and side yards, but not the front yard, unless the chain link fence is no more than four feet tall and is vinyl coated chain link (not slats).
• Exceptions to electric, barbed, or razor wire may be granted to bona fide farms to control livestock, or public institutions for safety or security purposes

If the fence has a finished side, the finished side must be facing out, so that the posts and supports are not on the side of the fence which faces adjacent property owners or public right of way, unless the supports are required and exposed on both sides of the fence according to the specific design of the fence.

Surveys are not required, but they are recommended.  It is the responsibility of the property owner erecting the fence to know where their property boundaries are.  A dispute as to the location of a property line is a civil matter between abutting land owners.  If a survey is not submitted with a permit application, a clear and accurate site plan must be submitted indicating lot line locations which can be verified in the field, the location of structures on the property, and the location of the proposed fence.

For fences 4 feet up to 7 feet, the permit fee is $28.00 and is due at the time of application. For fences over 7 feet, a building permit is required and the fee is based of project value.