Lakewood's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Lakewood, 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.

Retaining Walls

Lakewood Township regulates retaining walls under its grading rules in Ocean County: any wall over three feet high needs engineering certification, and taller walls must sit farther from the property line. The Township Engineer reviews plot plans for every retaining wall built with a residential construction permit before work begins.

Key details: Engineering trigger: Walls over 3 feet need certification. Setback formula: 2 feet setback per 6 inches of height. Reviewing agency: Township Engineer. Permit filing: Two signed, sealed plot plan copies. Max fine: $1,000 per offense under § 18-1109.

Retaining walls built without the required engineering certification or setback are UDO violations under § 18-1109: the Township can pursue a fine up to $1,000, up to 30 days in the county jail, or both, for each offense, with every 30-day period the violation continues counting as a separate offense once the owner has been served written notice and given 10 days to correct it. Lakewood can also seek an injunction to force compliance.

Material Restrictions

Barbed wire, razor wire, and electric fences are banned outright in every residential district in Lakewood Township under UDO § 18-803F19. Tarp fences and similar temporary cloth fencing are prohibited township-wide in every zoning district under § 18-803F20, with a narrow exception for approved temporary construction dust-control fencing.

Key details: Banned materials: Barbed wire, razor wire, electric fences. Scope of ban: All residential districts, § 18-803F19. Tarp/cloth fences: Banned townwide except temporary construction use. Farm exemption: Farm fences exempt under § 18-803F17. Penalty: Up to $1,000 fine or 30 days jail.

Installing a barbed wire, razor wire, electric, or tarp fence where the code prohibits it is a violation of the Unified Development Ordinance. Section 18-1109A sets the penalty at a fine of up to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both, with each 30-day period the fence stays up counted as a new offense, and the Township can also sue to force its removal under § 18-1109B.

Compared to other cities, Lakewood takes a harder line on material restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Height Limits

Lakewood Township caps front-yard fences at 4 feet, or 6 feet on the street-side yard of a corner lot, under UDO § 18-803F5. Fences elsewhere on a residential lot top out at 8 feet, with a 1-foot height bonus for every 5 feet a fence sits back from the property line. At street intersections, nothing over 30 inches may block the sight triangle. Ocean County has no separate authority here; Lakewood's Zoning Officer enforces the limits.

Key details: Front-yard fence height: 4 ft (6 ft on corner-lot side yard). General fence height: 8 ft, +1 ft per 5 ft setback. Sight-triangle height limit: 30 inches above curb at intersections. Corner-lot fence angle: 45 degrees, 10 ft back from corner. Enforcing office: Lakewood Township Zoning Officer.

If the Zoning Officer finds a fence unsafe, unsound, or out of conformance on inspection, § 18-803F14 requires written notice to the owner stating the defect, with 30 days to repair or remove it. Beyond that, any UDO violation, including a fence that ignores the height or sight-triangle limits, is punishable under § 18-1109A by a fine up to $1,000, up to 30 days in the county jail, or both, with each 30-day period of continued violation charged as a separate offense.

Fence Permit Requirements

Any fence in Lakewood Township needs a permit application under UDO § 18-803F3, and it has to include a drawing of the fence design. The plan must be drawn to scale, show every dimension, and mark all easements on the lot. Fences are built for privacy, screening, separation or security, and the Zoning Officer reviews the drawing before issuing a permit.

Key details: Permit requirement: Drawing of fence design required, § 18-803F3. Drawing must show: Scale, dimensions, and all easements. Fence definition: Includes wood, metal, masonry walls and hedges. Drainage easements: No fences permitted inside easements, § 18-803F22. Enforcing office: Lakewood Township Zoning Officer.

A fence built without the required drawing and permit, or one that does not match the approved plan, is a violation of the Unified Development Ordinance. Under § 18-1109A, that carries a fine of up to $1,000, up to 30 days in the county or Township jail, or both, and the Township can also sue in equity to force removal or to stop construction under § 18-1109B.

The Bottom Line

Lakewood'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 Lakewood is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Lakewood's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.