Fence Regulations in Lehi, UT

If you live in Lehi or are thinking about moving there, fence regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Lehi has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fence regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Material Restrictions

Barbed wire is allowed in Lehi only on agricultural land in the A-5, A-1 and RA-1 zones and for security purposes in the LI and PF zones, plus temporarily anywhere during construction. Razor wire fencing is banned citywide unless state or federal law specifically requires it for security.

Key details: Barbed wire allowed (agricultural): A-5, A-1, RA-1 zones. Barbed wire allowed (security): LI and PF zones. Barbed wire during construction: Temporary, any zone. Razor wire: Prohibited citywide. Razor wire exception: Only if state/federal law requires it.

Installing barbed wire outside the permitted A-5, A-1, RA-1, LI or PF zones and uses, or installing any razor wire without a qualifying state or federal mandate, is a Development Code violation under Section 34.010.D, enforceable as a class C misdemeanor with each ten-day period of continued noncompliance treated as a separate offense. The City can also pursue civil enforcement under Section 34.020 to compel removal of noncompliant fencing.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Lehi actively enforces its material restrictions requirements.

Fence Permit Requirements

A fence up to six feet needs no special review in Lehi, but going higher requires approval. A fence between six and eight feet needs Zoning Administrator sign-off for grade or safety reasons, while any other justification for extra height goes to the Planning Commission after a public hearing.

Key details: No review needed up to: 6 feet. 6-8 ft exception approver: Zoning Administrator. Beyond 8 ft / other reasons: Planning Commission, public hearing. Burden of proof: On the applicant. General permit statute: Development Code § 01.070.B.

Building or installing a fence above six feet without the required Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission approval is enforceable as a Development Code violation under Section 34.010.D, a class C misdemeanor with each ten-day period of continued noncompliance treated as a separate offense. The City may also seek civil relief to compel compliance under Section 34.020 or issue a stop work order under Section 34.030 while a dispute is pending.

Height Limits

Lehi caps fences, walls and hedges at six feet citywide, drops that to 36 inches within 15 feet of a front property line or on a street-facing side yard, and bars any obstruction over three feet inside the 35-foot sight triangle at street corners. The Zoning Administrator and City Engineer enforce all three limits.

Key details: Citywide max fence height: 6 feet. Front yard / street-side max: 36 inches. Corner sight triangle: 35 ft from intersection, 3 ft max. Driveway sight triangle: 20 feet. Penalty: Class C misdemeanor, 10-day repeat offense.

A fence that violates the height or sight-triangle rules is a Development Code violation under Section 34.010.D, punishable as a class C misdemeanor, with each ten-day period of continued noncompliance counted as a separate offense. The City may also pursue civil action to compel removal (Section 34.020) or issue a stop work order during any dispute (Section 34.030), and a sight-hazard fence can be ordered down by the Zoning Administrator or City Engineer even if it meets every height number.

Retaining Walls

Lehi requires a building permit and a site-specific engineered design for any retaining wall that holds back 4 feet or more of fill. The Building Division reviews stamped calculations from a Utah-licensed civil, structural or geotechnical engineer before issuing the permit, and rock, boulder or railroad-tie walls are barred above that 4-foot threshold.

Key details: Permit trigger: Retains 4 feet or more of fill. Design professional: Utah-licensed civil, structural or geotechnical engineer. Safety factor: 1.50 static, 1.10 with seismic loads. Prohibited materials: Rock, boulder or railroad-tie walls above 4 feet. Fall-hazard fence: 3'-6" minimum if drop is 6+ feet.

Building or altering a wall that retains 4 feet or more of fill without a permit, or without the stamped engineering calculations required by Section 12-C.020.A, violates the Development Code and can halt construction under standard Building Division enforcement. Modifications to an existing wall trigger the same permit and engineering review as new construction under Section 12-C.020.I, so homeowners who add height to an older wall cannot skip the stamped design or the drainage submittals.

Neighbor Fence Rules

Once Lehi accepts a required agricultural buffer fence a year after it goes in, the City steps out of the picture entirely. Maintenance and repair become a private matter between the neighboring property owners, the same as any other fence between two yards.

Key details: Ownership after acceptance: Private, split between adjacent owners. City involvement window: First year after installation only. Governing section: Development Code § 18.030.A.5. Animal containment duty: Falls on the lot owner keeping animals. City enforcement after year one: None.

The City does not cite, fine, or otherwise enforce disputes over a private agricultural buffer fence once it has accepted the fence one year after installation. Owners on either side who disagree about repair or replacement resolve it between themselves or through civil action, the same as any other privately owned boundary fence.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Lehi gives residents more flexibility on neighbor fence rules.

The Bottom Line

Lehi'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 Lehi is broadly strict or permissive.

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