How Anderson Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide
Anderson maintains 101 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Anderson falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Approved Materials
In side and rear yards, Anderson permits fences, latticework screens, hedges, or walls up to seven feet without restricting standard materials. Only open fences are allowed in front/street yards, and buffer walls between zones must be solid vision-block.
Key details: Side/rear enclosures: Fences, screens, hedges, walls. Max side/rear height: 7 feet. Front/street yards: Open materials only. Zone buffer: Solid vision-block wall/fence. Permit: Improvement Location Permit.
Using a solid-material fence where only open fencing is allowed, or exceeding height limits, is a zoning violation subject to correction and Board of Zoning Appeals appeal.
Permit Requirements
Anderson requires an Improvement Location Permit (ILP) before any structure, including a fence, is placed or erected within the Plan Commission's jurisdiction. The permit is issued by the Planning Director once the fence conforms to the Zoning Guide.
Key details: Permit type: Improvement Location Permit. Issued by: Planning Director. Application: Written, with scaled site plan. Where to apply: Municipal Development, 120 E 8th St. Phone: (765) 648-6055.
Placing a structure without an issued Improvement Location Permit is a zoning violation; the city may require removal or conformance, with appeals to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Height Limits
Anderson's Zoning Guide allows fences, latticework screens, hedges, or walls up to seven feet high in a required side or rear yard. Front-yard hedges are capped at three feet, and only open fences are allowed in front-yard areas along the street.
Key details: Max side/rear fence: 7 feet. Front-yard hedge max: 3 feet. Front/street yard: Open fences only. Corner lots: Vision clearance required. Governing document: Anderson Zoning Guide.
Zoning violations are enforced by the Department of Municipal Development; noncompliant fences must be corrected, removed, or brought into conformance, with appeals heard by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Material Restrictions
Anderson's Zoning Guide distinguishes open fences from solid, privacy, and vision-blocking fences by location rather than banning specific materials. Solid or privacy fences are barred from front/street yards and clear-sight triangles; buffer fences must be solid vision-block.
Key details: Front/street yards: Open fences only. Clear-sight triangle: No solid/privacy fence. Zone buffer fence: Solid vision-block, 7 ft. Regulated by: Opacity and location. Side/rear materials: Not generally restricted.
A solid or privacy fence installed where only open fences are allowed, or within a clear-sight triangle, is a zoning violation requiring removal or modification.
Neighbor Fence Rules
On corner lots, only open fences are permitted in the yard area between the streets and the building line, and vision clearance must be preserved so a fence does not block sightlines at intersections and driveways.
Key details: Corner-lot yards: Open fences only. Vision clearance: Required on corner lots. Clear-sight triangle: 15 ft from intersection. Interior lot lines: Fences up to 7 feet. Business/residential buffer: 7-ft vision-block fence.
Fences that violate corner-lot vision clearance or the clear-sight triangle must be corrected; enforcement is by the Department of Municipal Development with appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Fence Requirements
Fences in Anderson must not exceed seven feet in side or rear yards, must be open in front/street-facing yards, and require an Improvement Location Permit. Private swimming pools must be surrounded by a fence at least five feet high.
Key details: Max side/rear height: 7 feet. Pool fence minimum: 5 feet high. Front/street fences: Open only. Permit required: Improvement Location Permit. Agricultural fences: Any height allowed.
Fences failing height, location, permit, or pool-enclosure requirements are zoning violations requiring correction or removal; appeals go to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Retaining Walls
Anderson's Zoning Guide lists retaining walls as an accessory use permitted in any required front, side, or rear yard, alongside walks, driveways, curbs, and similar structures. Like other structures, they require an Improvement Location Permit.
Key details: Retaining walls: Permitted accessory use. Allowed location: Front, side, or rear yard. Permit: Improvement Location Permit. Corner lots: Vision clearance required. Contact: Municipal Development, (765) 648-6055.
Building a retaining wall without an Improvement Location Permit or in violation of yard and vision-clearance rules is a zoning violation subject to correction and Board of Zoning Appeals review.
The Bottom Line
Anderson's fence regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Anderson is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Anderson can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.