Project Hub

Fence Permits by City

Whether fence installation needs a permit depends on your city. Here is the official answer for each city we cover, ranked by how many fence permits the city issued in the last 12 months.

A white picket fence in front of a green hedge
CityPermit needed?Permits (12 mo)
Chicago Fence PermitsSometimes
No building permit is needed for a fence no more than 5 feet high (measured on both sides) that meets the Chicago Zoning Ordinance.		1,209
Baltimore Fence PermitsYes
Fences are not on Baltimore's list of work exempt from permit, so a fence needs a permit.		912
Orlando Fence PermitsSometimes
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.		525
Philadelphia Fence PermitsSometimes
Wood, metal or vinyl fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards need no permit.		331
San Francisco Fence PermitsSometimes
Fences under 6 feet at the rear and side lot lines at the rear of the property don't need a building permit.		150
Pittsburgh Fence PermitsYes (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.		148
Austin Fence PermitsUsually no
A fence up to 7 feet high is exempt from a building permit unless it is in a flood hazard area.		87
New Orleans Fence PermitsOften 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.		46
Raleigh Fence PermitsYes (zoning)
Raleigh requires a zoning permit to add or move a fence, or to replace 50% or more of one.		38
Nashville Fence PermitsUsually no
A new residential fence does not need a building permit in Nashville, but it must comply with the zoning code.		31
Seattle Fence PermitsUsually 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.		10

Go Deeper

For the patterns behind these rules, read Fence Permit Height Limits Compared Across 9 Cities.

Written and maintained by the Home Permit Guide Editorial TeamPlaceholder profile

Last updated

This is a placeholder editorial profile. A named reviewer with verifiable experience will be added here. Until then, every rule on this page links to the official government source it was checked against. Read our editorial policy.

Sources

Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.

  1. Chicago DOB: Fences (work not requiring a permit) (chicago.gov)
  2. Chicago DOB Express Permit Program: Fence or Trash Enclosure (chicago.gov)
  3. Baltimore DHCD: Work Exempt from Permit (baltimorecity.gov)
  4. Baltimore DHCD: Permit Guidelines and Forms (baltimorecity.gov)
  5. City of Orlando: Apply for a Fence Permit (orlando.gov)
  6. Philadelphia L&I: Get a Fence Permit (phila.gov)
  7. SF.gov: Check if your construction project needs a permit (sf.gov)
  8. SF.gov: Get an OTC permit for your exterior residential project (sf.gov)
  9. Pittsburgh PLI: Work Not Requiring a Permit (pittsburghpa.gov)
  10. Austin DSD: Fencing Regulations (austintexas.gov)
  11. Austin DSD: Work Exempt from Building Permits (austintexas.gov)
  12. New Orleans: Work Exempt from Permit (Section 105.2) (nola.gov)
  13. Raleigh: Fences (raleighnc.gov)
  14. Metro Nashville Codes: Projects That May or May Not Require a Permit (filetransfer.nashville.gov)
  15. Seattle SDCI: Fences (seattle.gov)