Fence Permits
General Information
- Why regulate fencing?
- Fence permits help to ensure that fences do not block public right of way or cross into others’ property. Building permits help ensure fences are structurally sound and able to resist wind loads.
- A fence permit is required prior to the construction of any fence taller than 4 ft. Both a fence permit and a building permit are required for a fence taller than 7 ft. You can apply online at e-place for both permit types.
- You are required to call Gopher One Call Before You Dig, 800-252-1166 or 651-454-0002.
- The information on this page is not an exhaustive list of all fence regulations. For more information, please refer to UDC 50-26.4 and UDC 50-21.3.
General Standards
- Fences may be erected, placed or maintained along or within the property line.
- Fences must be setback a minimum of 3 ft from right of way such as a street or alley.
- Note that right of way often extends into the front yard beyond the sidewalk or curb.
- Fences that are electrically charged, and those constructed of barbed, or razor wire are prohibited. This prohibition does not apply to electrically charged fences used to protect gardens and landscaping on residential lots or to enclose livestock on bona fide farms and those serving a public or quasi-public institution for public safety or security purposes.
Front Yard Standards
- Front yard standards apply to both frontages on corner lots. See diagrams below.
- No fence in the front yard may exceed four feet in height unless the fence is constructed with decorative material, such as wrought iron and at least 50% open or transparent but not to exceed six feet in height.
- To view examples of acceptable decorative material, click here.
- Chain link fences, fences that are electrically charged, fences constructed of barbed or razor wire and fences constructed of temporary plastic fencing (snow fences) are prohibited.
- A durable, vinyl-coated, chain link fence, no more than four feet tall, may be allowed with an approved fence permit.
Residential Zone Standards
- The maximum height of a fence within required side and rear yard area is eight feet.
Application Requirements
- The owner of the property must be the fence permit applicant. If someone is applying on behalf of the property owner, the property owner will need to submit a signed statement giving consent to the individual.
- A site plan can be drawn by hand or developed with online tools or software. Regardless, the site plan must identify the following:
- location, height, and length of the proposed fence
- existing structures (house, garage, etc)
- accurate depiction of the lot size - see the Resources section below to identify approximate property lines
- 3 ft setback from right of way such as an alley or street - see the Resources section below to identify the right of way
- To view an example of an acceptable site plan, click here
- Fee is $36 and must be paid online in the e-place application
Resources
- To view approximate property lines and right of way, go to County Land Explorer, enter your address, select the Layers tab on the left side of the screen, select the Cadastral layer, then select Right of Way
- Note that right of way typically extends past the street and sidewalk