Farmington Hills's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Farmington Hills, Michigan, there are 8 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.

Neighbor Fence Rules

Farmington Hills Sec. 34-5.12 does not mandate which direction the finished (smooth) side of a fence must face - the finished side may face either the owner's yard or the neighbor's yard. Property line location is the owner's responsibility, and the city does not adjudicate private boundary or cost-sharing disputes, which are civil matters under Michigan law.

Key details: Finished Side Rule: No mandated direction in Sec. 34-5.12 (owner's choice). Property Line Surveys: Owner's responsibility - city does not survey. HOA / Subdivision Rules: May be stricter; submit to HOA before city application. Cost Sharing: No municipal cost-sharing ordinance; private civil matter. Boundary Disputes: Not adjudicated by city.

Encroaching fences must be removed or relocated by the offending owner at their expense; the city does not mediate boundary disputes. HOA violations are enforced by the association, not the city. Failing to obtain a zoning permit before construction triggers municipal enforcement under Chapter 34.

The rules around neighbor fence rules in Farmington Hills lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls in Farmington Hills are regulated under the Michigan Residential Code (MRC) and Michigan Building Code (MBC), which the city has adopted as required by the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act (MCL 125.1501-1531). Under IRC R404.4 (incorporated by reference into the MRC), retaining walls more than 4 feet (footing to top) or any wall supporting a surcharge require an engineered design and a building permit from the Building Division.

Key details: Governing Code: Michigan Residential Code (2015 IRC base). State Preemption: Stille-DeRossett-Hale Act, MCL 125.1501-125.1531. Permit Threshold: More than 4 ft (footing to top) per IRC R404.4. Surcharge Walls: Building permit required at any height. Clear Vision Triangle: 30 in max above curb (Sec. 34-5.12).

Constructing a retaining wall over 4 feet, or any wall with a surcharge, without a building permit and stamped engineering is a violation of the state construction code as adopted locally. The Building Division can issue stop-work orders, require removal or re-engineering, and assess fees. Walls within the clear-vision triangle exceeding 30 inches must be lowered.

Material Restrictions

Farmington Hills Sec. 34-5.12 prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, and any electric current or charge in residential fences. Conventional materials such as wood, vinyl, chain link, ornamental metal/aluminum, masonry, and composite are permitted subject to the 8-foot height limit, setback rules, and the 30-inch clear-vision triangle.

Key details: Prohibited (Residential): Barbed wire, razor wire, electric current. Permitted Materials: Wood, vinyl, chain link, aluminum/ornamental metal, masonry, composite. Height Limit: 8 ft regardless of material. HOA Restrictions: May further limit materials and styles. Commercial Security Fencing: Planning Office (248) 871-2540 - district-specific.

Installing barbed wire, razor wire, or an electrified fence on residential property is a Chapter 34 violation. The Zoning Division can require removal, charge re-inspection fees, and issue civil infraction citations. HOA-restricted materials are enforced by the association, not the city.

Permit Requirements

Farmington Hills requires a zoning permit for any fence regardless of size under Sec. 34-5.12. Residential fence permits are issued by the Zoning Division at $100. A building permit is not required for a residential fence, but zoning approval is. Commercial fences are processed through the Planning Office.

Key details: Permit Required: Yes - for any fence, any size (Sec. 34-5.12). Residential Permit Fee: $100. Issuing Office: Zoning Division (residential) / Planning Office (commercial). Required Submittals: Application + plot plan or property survey (survey preferred). Building Permit: Not required for residential fence (zoning only).

Building a fence without the required zoning permit is a Chapter 34 violation. The Zoning Division can issue a stop-work order, require removal or relocation, charge re-inspection fees, and pursue a municipal civil infraction. Permits do not relieve owners of HOA or deed-restriction obligations.

Fence Requirements

Beyond height, Sec. 34-5.12 of Farmington Hills' Zoning Chapter requires a zoning permit, compliance with the 30-inch clear-vision triangle, and observance of yard setback rules. Fences must be located on the permit-holder's property, must not contain barbed wire, razor wire, or electric current, and must comply with any HOA covenants in addition to the city code.

Key details: Permit: Required for any size fence. Max Height: 8 ft (Sec. 34-5.12). Setback Limits: No fence in minimum front yard or minimum street-abutting setback. Clear Vision Triangle: 30 inches max above curb. Prohibited Features: Barbed wire, razor wire, electric current.

A fence that exceeds 8 feet, encroaches on a required setback, intrudes into the 30-inch clear-vision triangle, or contains barbed wire, razor wire, or electric current must be modified or removed. The Zoning Division enforces Chapter 34 by stop-work order, required correction, re-inspection fees, and municipal civil infraction citations.

Height Limits

Under Farmington Hills Zoning Ordinance Sec. 34-5.12, fences may not exceed eight (8) feet in height and may be located within any yard except the minimum front yard setback or the minimum setback of a yard abutting a street. A 30-inch clear-vision triangle applies at street intersections, measured from the top of curb at street level.

Key details: Maximum Height: 8 feet (Sec. 34-5.12). Front Yard / Street-Abutting Setback: Fence not allowed in minimum front yard setback or yard abutting a street. Clear Vision Triangle: 30 inches max above top of curb at intersection. Height Measurement: Grade to top of highest post or finial. Regulating Chapter: Chapter 34 Zoning, Sec. 34-5.12.

Fences exceeding eight feet, fences encroaching on the required front yard or street-abutting setback, or any obstruction over 30 inches inside the clear-vision triangle must be lowered, relocated, or removed. The Zoning Division (248-871-2520) handles enforcement; non-compliant fences can result in stop-work orders, required corrections, and municipal civil infraction citations under Chapter 34.

Pool Barriers

Swimming pool barriers in Farmington Hills must comply with the Michigan Residential Code Appendix G (adopted from the 2015 IRC), which is preempted to the state by the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Act. A minimum 48-inch (4-foot) barrier is required, with openings no greater than 4 inches in diameter, and self-closing/self-latching gates with the latch at least 54 inches above grade. Chapter 28 of the Farmington Hills code (Sec. 28-26 through 28-30) further regulates pools locally.

Key details: Minimum Barrier Height: 48 inches (IRC Appendix G). Max Opening: 4-inch sphere may not pass. Bottom Clearance: 2 in (non-solid grade) / 4 in (solid surface). Gate: Outward swing, self-closing, self-latching. Latch Height: At least 54 in above grade (or pool-side 3 in below top).

A non-compliant pool barrier is a violation of the Michigan Residential Code and Chapter 28. The Building Division can issue stop-work orders, withhold the certificate of completion, require correction before the pool may be filled or used, and pursue municipal civil infraction citations. Liability exposure under Michigan attractive-nuisance doctrine is significant.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Farmington Hills actively enforces its pool barriers requirements.

Approved Materials

Farmington Hills Sec. 34-5.12 does not restrict residential fence materials beyond prohibiting barbed wire, razor wire, and electric fencing. Wood, vinyl/PVC, chain link, aluminum/ornamental metal, masonry, and composite are permitted, with finished-side orientation at the owner's choice (the city does not mandate a smooth-side-out rule).

Key details: Approved Materials: Wood, vinyl/PVC, chain link, aluminum, masonry, composite. Finished-Side Direction: Owner's choice (no city mandate). Posts and Finials: Counted toward 8-ft maximum. HOA Style Rules: May be stricter than city - check covenants first. City vs Neighbor City: Farmington Hills allows either direction; City of Farmington requires smooth side out.

Material that crosses into a prohibited category (barbed wire, razor wire, electric) is a Chapter 34 violation. HOA-mandated styles or finished-side orientations are enforced by the association in a civil action; the city does not enforce HOA covenants.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Farmington Hills gives residents more flexibility on approved materials.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Farmington Hills gives residents more room on fence regulations. 2 of the 8 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

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