Posted by Don | Posted in Cheap Fence Panels Information | Posted on 13-02-2023
Tags: fence permit
The following is a typical FAQ from a city or county in regards to what they require for installing a fence on your property.
Q: Do I need a permit to install a fence?
A: Yes. Permit applications are available online or at City Hall.
Q: What information do I need to submit to get a fence permit?
A: You will need to complete a Residential Building Permit Application. In addition, you will need to submit a plot plan showing property lines, where the fence will be located and the type of fence you wish to install. See sample plot plan below. 
Q: Who should pull the permit?
A: If the property owner is installing the fence, the property owner should pull the permit. If a contractor is installing the fence, the contractor should pull the permit.
Q: How long does it take to obtain a permit?
A: Once you’ve completed the Residential Building Permit Application and submitted all of the necessary information, it will take a couple of days for the Chief Building Official to review the permit application.
Q: Can I install the fence along the property line?
A. It depends on the type of fence you want to install. All fences on the property line or within five feet of the property line must have 25% uniform open airspace. Fences that are five feet or more from the property line are not required to have 25% uniform open airspace.
Q: What types of fences have 25% uniform open airspace?
A: Board on board fences, chain link fences, and split rail fences are the most common types of fences that have 25% uniform open airspace. Stockade fences do not have 25% uniform open airspace and must be at least five feet from any property line. See photos below.
FENCES WITH 25% UNIFORM OPEN AIRSPACE – Allowed on the Property Line include:
- Board on Board
- Chain Link
- Picket
- Split Rail
FENCES WITHOUT 25% UNIFORM OPEN AIRSPACE – Not Allowed on the Property Line include:
Stockade
Q: How high can my fence be?
A: Fences in front of the front building line cannot exceed four feet in height. Fences behind the front building line cannot exceed six feet in height. See diagram below.
Q: What if my house is on a corner lot?
A: A corner lot has two front yards and two side yards. The maximum height of a fence in the front yard is four feet. The maximum height of a fence in the side yard is six feet. See the diagram below.
Q: What inspections do I need?
A: Fences require at least two inspections. A post hole inspection is required after the post holes are dug and before the posts are installed. A final inspection is required after the fence has been installed.
Please note that your municipality may have different requirements. This article is intended to give you an idea of what may be required. If you’re in an unincorporated area, you may not have any requirements at all!