Fence height rules
There is no single national answer: each city sets its own limit. Of the 19 city fence rules we verified, 16 state a limit in the city’s own wording; they are below, with the model code wording many cities start from. The other 3 (Charlotte, Indianapolis and Oklahoma City) do not state one of these limits for fences by name; their pages quote what they do say.
Two different rules set how tall a fence can be. The building code (or the city's version of it) says how tall a fence can be before it needs a building permit. The zoning code says how tall a fence may be at all, usually lower in front yards and on corner lots than in back yards, and may need its own approval.
Pool barriers are a separate case: they usually need a permit whatever their height. HOA covenants can be stricter than both.
Fence limits by city
| City | Rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | Exempt up to this height | 6 feet | Fences 6 feet (1829 mm) or less in height, as measured from the higher of the two adjoining grades, in connection with one-…1 |
| Los Angeles, CA | Exempt up to this height | 10 feet | Masonry or concrete fences not over 3-1/2 feet high, and other fences, other than swimming pool barriers, not over 10 feet high.2 |
| Chicago, IL | Exempt up to this height | 5 feet | Installing a fence that is no more than 5 feet above the ground (measured on both sides) and that conforms to the Chicago Zoning Ordinance…3 |
| Houston, TX | Exempt up to this height | 8 feet | Fences of any material that exceed 8 feet above grade require a permit.4 |
| Phoenix, AZ | Exempt up to this height | 3 feet | Fences, other than swimming pool barriers, not over [...] 3 feet (914.4 mm) high.5 |
| San Antonio, TX | Exempt up to this height | 6 feet | Minor repairs to fences not over six (6) feet (1829 mm) high.6 |
| San Diego, CA | Exempt up to this height | 7 feet | Fences, other than swimming pool barriers, that are 7 feet in height or less.7 |
| Dallas, TX | Exempt up to this height | 6 feet | Erection of fences not serving as a pool enclosure not over four feet high in a front yard, nor over six feet high elsewhere.8 |
| Dallas, TX | Exempt height, front yard | 4 feet | Erection of fences not serving as a pool enclosure not over four feet high in a front yard, nor over six feet high elsewhere.8 |
| Fort Worth, TX | Exempt up to this height | 7 feet | Fences not over seven( 7) feet( 1829 mm) high and open wire fences without slats up to eight 8) feet ( 2438 mm) high that are not barrier fences required under the Electrified Fence provisions of the Electrical Code.9 |
| San Jose, CA | Exempt up to this height | 7 feet | Fences, other than swimming pool barriers, not over seven feet (2,134 mm) high.10 |
| Columbus, OH | Exempt up to this height | 6 feet | A fence 6 feet or less in height does not require a building permit, but the Zoning Code regulates the placement of fences even if they are less than 6 feet tall under certain circumstances related to safe visibility for motor vehicle operation.11 |
| San Francisco, CA | Exempt up to this height | 6 feet | A building permit is not required for a fence that is three feet or less in height at the front of a property, or six feet or less in height at the side or rear property lines.12 |
| Seattle, WA | Exempt up to this height | 8 feet | Fences not over 8 feet high that do not have masonry or concrete elements above 6 feet.13 |
| Denver, CO | Exempt up to this height | 4 feet | Fences shorter than four feet do not require a permit, unless the site has landmark or historic status.14 |
| Philadelphia, PA | Exempt up to this height | 6 feet | Fencing up to six feet in height .15 |
| Austin, TX | Exempt up to this height | 7 feet | 2. Unless located within a flood hazard area, a fence that is not over seven feet (2,133.6 mm) high.16 |
Zoning height limits
Separate from the building permit, zoning caps how tall a fence may be in each yard.
| City | Rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | Maximum height in side and rear yards | Chapter 1A parcels: over 8 ft next to non-Industrial/Public lots needs a Class 1 Conditional Use Permit | LAMC Section 4C.7.2.C.1. (Side/Rear Yard Fences & Walls) of Chapter 1A requires a Class 1 Conditional Use Permit for fences, walls, and hedges more than 8 feet in height – or more than 2 feet greater than a minimum height of more than 8 feet - when adjacent to a lot zoned with a Use District other than Industrial or Public Uses.17 |
| San Antonio, TX | Maximum height in the front yard | 3 feet | You may install a 5’0” chain link or wrought iron fence in the front yard or a 3’0” solid fence in the front yard.18 |
| San Antonio, TX | Maximum height in side and rear yards | 6 feet | You may install up to a 6’0” fence in the side or rear yard.18 |
| San Diego, CA | Maximum height in the front yard | 3 feet | Solid fences located on the front or street side property line shall not exceed 3 feet in height except as provided in Section 142.0310(c)(1)(C).19 |
| San Diego, CA | Maximum height in side and rear yards | 9 feet | Fences located in required side yards and required rear yards are permitted up to 9 feet in height.19 |
| Dallas, TX | Maximum height in side and rear yards | 9 feet | NOTE that the maximum height of any fence is 9 feet.20 |
| Fort Worth, TX | Maximum height in the front yard | 4 feet | Fences in the front yard and projected front yard can be no more than 4 feet tall and open design picket style.21 |
| San Jose, CA | Maximum height in the front yard | 3 feet | Front yard - 3 feet maximum…22 |
| San Jose, CA | Maximum height in side and rear yards | 7 feet | Rear yard - 7 feet maximum…22 |
| Charlotte, NC | Maximum height in the front yard | 5 feet | A fence or wall located in the established front setback or setback along a frontage shall be limited to a maximum height of five feet above grade.23 |
| Charlotte, NC | Maximum height in side and rear yards | 6 feet | A fence or wall located in the established side setback between the established front setback and established rear setback shall be limited to a maximum height of six feet above grade.23 |
| Columbus, OH | Maximum height in side and rear yards | 6 ft or less: not regulated as a structure, rear yard with no setback | Fences 6 feet or less in height are not regulated as a structure and can be placed in the rear yard with no setback from the property lines.11 |
| Indianapolis, IN | Maximum height in the front yard | 3.5 feet | Maximum height in front yard 3.5…24 |
| Indianapolis, IN | Maximum height in side and rear yards | 6 feet | Maximum height in side & rear yards 6…24 |
| San Francisco, CA | Maximum height in the front yard | 3 feet | If you propose a fence within the required front setback area, it is limited to a height of 3 feet if solid, and 6 feet if 75% open.25 |
| San Francisco, CA | Maximum height in side and rear yards | 10 feet | In the required rear yard area, the maximum allowable height of a fence is 10 feet above grade.25 |
| Seattle, WA | Maximum height in the front yard | 4 feet | We limit the height of the fence to 4 feet when it is located in a front or street side setback.26 |
| Seattle, WA | Maximum height in side and rear yards | 6 feet | In neighborhood residential and multifamily zones, our zoning code limits your fence height to 6 feet, with an additional 2 feet of architectural features such as arbors or trellises.26 |
| Denver, CO | Maximum height in the front yard | 4 feet | Except for industrial areas, the maximum fence height allowed is four feet in the front yard and six feet in the backyard.14 |
| Denver, CO | Maximum height in side and rear yards | 6 feet | Except for industrial areas, the maximum fence height allowed is four feet in the front yard and six feet in the backyard.14 |
| Austin, TX | Maximum height in side and rear yards | 6 feet | A solid fence constructed along a property line may not be more than 6 feet high, measured from the natural grade up.27 |
The model code wording (IRC R105.2)
The International Residential Code (IRC) is a model code. It is law only where a state or city adopts it, usually with changes, so the wording below shows how the model reads in published government copies, not the rule where you live.
2. Fences not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high.
28 As published by Bluffdale, UT.2. Fences, other than swimming pool barriers, not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high.
29 As published by Connecticut (statewide) (2022 CSBC amendments to the 2021 IRC).
For permits, fees and inspections city by city, see the fence permit guide.
Sources
- 1 RCNY §101-14 Categories of work that may or may not require a permitCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- SEC. 91.106. PERMITS. (LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 1, Div. 1)City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Municipal Code, hosted by American Legal Publishing)Checked November 7, 2026
- What Types of Work Do Not Require a Building Permit? (Full List)City of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Residential Fencing | Houston Permitting CenterCity of Houston, Houston Permitting Center (Houston Public Works)Checked November 7, 2026
- 2024 International Building Code Administrative Provisions (IBC Chapter 1), Phoenix amendmentsCity of Phoenix, Planning & Development DepartmentEffective August 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Chapter 10 Building-Related Codes (2024 International Building-Related Codes), City Code of San AntonioCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentEffective May 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- SDMC Chapter 12, Article 9, Division 2: Building Permit ProceduresCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised September 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Chapter 52: Administrative Procedures for the Construction Codes (City of Dallas booklet, current through April 23,…City of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentLast updated April 23, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Fort Worth Administrative Building Code, Ordinance No. 25387-03-2022City of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentAdopted March 8, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- Draft Ordinance amending Title 24 (Technical Codes) of the San José Municipal Code (Council Agenda 10/28/2025, Item…City of San José, City Council (Legistar)Published October 16, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Fences (information sheet)City of Columbus, Department of Building and Zoning ServicesRevised April 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Fences | SF PlanningCity and County of San Francisco, Planning DepartmentLast updated May 10, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- 2021 Seattle Residential Code, Chapter 1 AdministrationCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Fences and Walls - City and County of DenverCity and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Get a Building PermitCity of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Ordinance No. 20250410-040 (2024 International Residential Code and local amendments, City Code Ch. 25-12 Art. 11)City of Austin, City CouncilEffective July 10, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Fences and Walls, Chapter 1A Zoning (form CP13-2075.1.A)City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City PlanningRevised January 27, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
- Residential Fence Permit FAQCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised December 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- SDMC Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 3: Fence RegulationsCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised September 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Fence Permit/Pool Barrier Permits checklistCity of Dallas, Building Inspection Division (now Planning & Development)Revised August 29, 2017Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential PermittingCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Fences & Retaining WallsCity of San José, Development Services Permit Center (PBCE)Last updated April 15, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Charlotte UDO Article 17. Accessory StructuresCity of Charlotte, Planning, Design & Development (Unified Development Ordinance, charlotteudo.org)Checked November 7, 2026
- Indianapolis-Marion County Consolidated Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance (August 2026)City of Indianapolis, Department of Metropolitan DevelopmentEffective August 19, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- General Planning Information: FencesCity and County of San Francisco, Planning DepartmentPublished January 2019Checked November 6, 2026
- Fences - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Fencing Regulations | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Exempt from permit 2023City of Bluffdale, UT, Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- 2022 Connecticut State Building Code (w/ Errata #1)State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services, Office of the State Building InspectorEffective October 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026