Englewood's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Englewood, New Jersey, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Permit Requirements

Englewood requires a zoning permit before erecting or structurally altering any fence, with applications filed with the Chief Inspector.

Key details: Permit issuer: Chief Inspector. Application location: 2-10 N Van Brunt St. Required submittal: Plot plan and description. Permit type: Zoning permit.

Building without a zoning permit can lead to stop-work orders, removal orders, and fines under Article XVIII enforcement provisions.

Height Limits

Englewood limits residential fences to 6.5 feet overall, with front yard fences capped at 4.5 feet under the city zoning code.

Key details: Max residential height: 6.5 feet. Front yard maximum: 4.5 feet. Public facility maximum: 8 feet. Code chapter: Chapter 250 Land Use.

Violations may result in zoning enforcement actions, removal orders, daily fines, and municipal court penalties under Article XVIII.

Retaining Walls

Englewood treats retaining walls under fence height limits and requires detailed engineering submittals for site plan review.

Key details: Residential height cap: 6.5 feet. Park/stadium cap: 8 feet. Site plan submittal: Profiles and cross sections. Required calculations: Structural design.

Unapproved retaining walls may trigger stop-work orders, removal, and penalties under Article XVIII enforcement.

Pool Barriers

Englewood Chapter 385 requires pool barrier fences with self-closing, lockable gates around private pools deeper than 18 inches.

Key details: Trigger depth: Over 18 inches. Full enclosure threshold: Within 200 feet. Gate requirement: Self-closing and lockable. Code chapter: Chapter 385.

Failure to provide compliant pool fencing can result in permit denial, fines, and orders to drain or secure the pool.

This is one of the stricter rules in Englewood's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Englewood'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 Englewood is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Englewood's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.