Fence Permit Height Limits Compared Across 9 Cities

No-Permit Fence Heights by City

Los Angeles and New York City are not in this table because we have not yet verified a city-specific fence rule from an official source.

City-By-City Fence Permit Rules

These summaries come from the same official sources as our city pages and were last checked October 30, 2026. Permit counts are the city's own open-data records for the last 12 months.

Chicago: Sometimes

No building permit is needed for a fence no more than 5 feet high (measured on both sides) that meets the Chicago Zoning Ordinance. Taller fences use the Express Permit Program; front-yard fences are limited to 4.5 feet, or 6 feet if at least 80% open, and anything over 6 feet needs zoning approval.

• Exempt: fences up to 5 ft that conform to zoning.
• Express Permit: back-yard fences up to 6 ft; front-yard fences up to 4.5 ft, or 6 ft if 80% open.
• Masonry fences need drawings by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer.
• Chicago issued 1,209 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 2 days from application to issue.

Source: Chicago DOB: Fences (work not requiring a permit)

Austin: Usually No

A fence up to 7 feet high is exempt from a building permit unless it is in a flood hazard area. A permit is required above 7 feet, and residential fences over 6 feet along a public right-of-way also need a letter of authorization.

• Exempt: fences up to 7 ft outside a flood hazard area.
• Permit: any fence in a floodplain or over 7 ft.
• Over 6 ft along a public right-of-way needs a City letter of authorization.
• Austin issued 87 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 94 days from application to issue.

Source: Austin DSD: Fencing Regulations · Full details: Austin Fence Permits

Seattle: Usually No

No permit is needed for a fence up to 8 feet total height without masonry or concrete elements over 6 feet, unless it is in a flood-prone area. Zoning can still limit height in required yards.

• Exempt: fences up to 8 ft with no masonry over 6 ft.
• Permit required in flood-prone areas.
• Zoning height limits still apply.
• Seattle issued 10 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 54 days from application to issue.

Source: Seattle SDCI: Fences · Full details: Seattle Fence Permits

Orlando: Sometimes

Orlando requires a fence permit if the fence is over 6 feet, masonry or reinforced, a pool barrier, on a corner lot or alley lot, near an easement, has vehicle or powered gates, or is in a floodplain. Other fences still must meet City Code.

• Permit if over 6 ft, masonry/concrete, or a pool barrier.
• Permit on corner lots, alley lots or near easements.
• Historic districts need a Certificate of Appropriateness; vinyl is not allowed there.
• Orlando issued 525 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 22 days from application to issue.

Source: City of Orlando: Apply for a Fence Permit

Philadelphia: Sometimes

Wood, metal or vinyl fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards need no permit. In front yards, fences over 4 feet (or more than 50% opaque) need a zoning permit, and any fence over 6 feet needs zoning and building permits.

• Non-masonry, side/rear yard, up to 6 ft: no permit.
• Front yard over 4 ft or more than 50% opaque: zoning permit.
• Over 6 ft: zoning and building permits; historic or floodplain properties always need a building permit.
• Philadelphia issued 331 matching permits in the last 12 months.

Source: Philadelphia L&I: Get a Fence Permit

Baltimore: Yes

Fences are not on Baltimore's list of work exempt from permit, so a fence needs a permit. Fencing gets a footing inspection when needed and a final inspection.

• Fences are not on the exempt list.
• Inspections: footing (as needed) and final.
• Check zoning height limits before you buy materials.
• Baltimore issued 912 matching permits in the last 12 months.

Source: Baltimore DHCD: Work Exempt from Permit · Full details: Baltimore Fence Permits

Nashville: Usually No

A new residential fence does not need a building permit in Nashville, but it must comply with the zoning code. Fences in historic districts need approval from the Historical Commission.

• No building permit for a new fence that meets zoning.
• Historic districts: contact the Historical Commission.
• Opaque fences are listed among projects that go through permitting review.
• Nashville issued 31 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 19 days from application to issue.

Source: Metro Nashville Codes: Projects That May or May Not Require a Permit · Full details: Nashville Fence Permits

Raleigh: Yes (Zoning)

Raleigh requires a zoning permit to add or move a fence, or to replace 50% or more of one. Changing material, height or location needs a zoning permit even for a smaller replacement.

• Zoning permit for any new or moved fence.
• Replacing 50% or more requires a permit.
• Historic districts need a Certificate of Appropriateness.
• Raleigh issued 38 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 41 days from application to issue.

Source: Raleigh: Fences

San Francisco: Sometimes

Fences under 6 feet at the rear and side lot lines at the rear of the property don't need a building permit. Fences over 6 feet in a side or rear yard (up to 10 feet) or over 3 feet in a front yard need a permit with plans, usually reviewed over the counter.

• Exempt: fences under 6 ft at rear and side lot lines at the rear.
• Permit with plans: over 6 ft in side or rear yards (max 10 ft) or over 3 ft in the front yard.
• These fences qualify for over-the-counter review.
• San Francisco issued 150 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 21 days from application to issue.

Source: SF.gov: Check if your construction project needs a permit · Full details: San Francisco Fence Permits

New Orleans: Often No

Fences up to 7 feet high that comply with the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance don't need a building permit in New Orleans; masonry walls used as fences are exempt only up to 3 feet. Properties in historic districts may still need HDLC or VCC approval.

• Exempt: fences up to 7 ft that comply with zoning.
• Exempt: masonry fence walls up to 3 ft.
• HDLC or VCC review may still apply in historic districts.
• New Orleans issued 46 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 52 days from application to issue.

Source: New Orleans: Work Exempt from Permit (Section 105.2) · Full details: New Orleans Fence Permits

Pittsburgh: Yes (Zoning)

Fences 6 feet or less don't need a PLI building permit, but they do need a Building and Development Application with Zoning review only. Taller fences go through PLI review as well.

• Fences up to 6 ft: zoning review only, no PLI building review.
• Apply through the OneStopPGH Building and Development Application.
• Exterior work in a historic district also needs zoning review.
• Pittsburgh issued 148 matching permits in the last 12 months.

Source: Pittsburgh PLI: Work Not Requiring a Permit · Full details: Pittsburgh Fence Permits

Zoning Can Apply Even When a Building Permit Does Not

Raleigh requires a zoning permit for any new or moved fence. Philadelphia requires a zoning permit for front-yard fences over 4 feet or more than 50% opaque. Nashville needs no building permit but the fence must meet the zoning code, and historic districts need Historical Commission review.

Before You Buy Materials

• Confirm your property line; a survey is cheaper than moving a fence.
• Check for easements, corner-lot sight lines and floodplain status.
• Ask your HOA, which may be stricter than the city.

Fence Permit Pages by City

Compare Chicago Fence Permits, Philadelphia Fence Permits, Orlando Fence Permits and Raleigh Fence Permits, or see Fence Permits by City.

Exempt Does Not Mean Unregulated

Fences sit at the boundary between building code and zoning. The building code mostly cares about height because tall fences behave like walls in the wind; zoning cares about appearance, sight lines and setbacks. That is why Nashville's permit list says fences need no permit but must still meet zoning. Before building, confirm your property line from a survey and check for easements. For the general exemption list, see Work That Does Not Need a Building Permit: IRC R105.2 Exemptions.

Frequently Asked Questions