Glendale's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Glendale, Arizona, 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.

Fence Permit Requirements

Glendale exempts most fences from needing a building permit, but only up to seven feet high. Section 9-17's amendment to the International Building Code's permit-exemption list carves out two exceptions that always need a permit regardless of height: swimming pool barriers and perimeter subdivision fences.

Key details: Permit-free height: up to 7 feet (2,134 mm). No exemption for: pool barrier fences, any height. No exemption for: perimeter subdivision fences, any height. Enforcing agency: Building Safety Division. Permit fees: set by city council resolution.

Building a swimming pool barrier fence, a perimeter subdivision fence, or any fence over seven feet without first obtaining a permit exposes the property owner to a stop-work order and enforcement by the Building Safety Division under Section 9-17's amended Section 105.6, and continuing work after a permit is suspended or revoked is itself a separate violation with no refund of the forfeited fee.

Retaining Walls

Glendale treats any wall holding back eighteen inches of earth or more as a retaining wall subject to City Engineer review, and any wall over six feet tall, retaining or not, needs stamped structural calculations from a licensed engineer. UDC § 35.4.204 also forces terracing once retained soil tops four feet.

Key details: Governing section: UDC § 35.4.204(D)-(E). Retaining wall trigger: Retains 18 inches of earth or more. Structural calcs required: Any wall over 6 feet tall. Terracing required: Once retaining exceeds 4 feet. Sloped-lot wall split: 6 ft high side, 8 ft low side.

Retaining walls fall under Chapter 35.4.200's general enforcement: an unsafe or unrepaired wall is a public nuisance under § 35.4.207 that the City can order abated. Because the retaining-wall section carries no dedicated fine, an unpermitted or non-compliant retaining wall defaults to the Code's Sec. 1-7 general penalty, a Class 1 misdemeanor with each day of continued violation a separate offense, or a civil code infraction the city attorney can instead pursue in Glendale City Court.

Material Restrictions

Glendale bans barbed wire below six feet high within ten feet of a street, sidewalk or roadway right-of-way, and bans any electrically charged fence in the city unless it is Underwriters Laboratory-approved and unmodified. Any fence dangerous to people, children or animals is also barred.

Key details: Barbed wire limit: Banned below 6 ft within 10 ft of ROW. Electric fences: Banned unless UL-approved and unmodified. Dangerous fences: Barred if hazardous to persons/children/animals. Corner lot sightline: No fence blocking >10% of view within 30 ft. Liable parties: Owner and/or occupier of the lot.

Section 30-61 holds either or both the owner and the occupier of a corner lot responsible for a violation of the fence article when a prohibited condition is created or allowed to exist, meaning code enforcement can cite the resident even where the landlord built the fence.

Height Limits

Glendale caps fences at six feet in side and rear yards and three feet in front yards, with taller decorative columns and arched entries allowed in narrow doses. UDC § 35.4.206 also carves out visibility triangles at corners and driveways where fences over thirty inches are barred so drivers can see cross traffic.

Key details: Governing section: UDC § 35.4.206. Side/rear yard max: 6 feet, all zoning districts. Front yard max: 3 feet (4 ft columns, 7 ft arches). Corner visibility setback: 30 ft (40 ft at arterials). Driveway visibility setback: 10 feet, 25% obstruction limit.

A fence or wall that becomes unsafe or unsightly is deemed a public nuisance under § 35.4.207, and the City can commence abatement proceedings to force repair or removal. Because Chapter 35.4.200 sets no fence-specific fine, a violation defaults to the Code's general penalty in Sec. 1-7: a Class 1 misdemeanor for each day the violation continues, or, at the city's discretion, a civil code infraction adjudicated in Glendale City Court under Chapter 13, Article II, as an alternative to criminal prosecution.

The Bottom Line

Glendale'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 Glendale is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Glendale's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.