How Matthews Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide
Matthews maintains 113 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Matthews falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Permit Requirements
Matthews requires a zoning permit for most fence installations to verify height, setback, and materials compliance with the UDO, though building permits are generally not required for residential fences under 6 feet.
Key details: Zoning Permit: Required. Building Permit: Usually not for under 6 ft. Historic Review: Downtown required. Fee: $50 to $100. Dept: Planning and Development.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Fence Requirements
Matthews UDO requires a sight-distance triangle at corner lots and driveways limiting fence, wall, and landscaping height to approximately 3 feet within 10 to 25 feet of intersections.
Key details: Max Height: About 3 ft. Triangle: 10 to 25 ft typical. Applies: Corners and driveways. Enforcement: Planning/Engineering. Required: Remove if violating.
Removal or reduction required, civil penalty if not abated.
Compared to other cities, Matthews takes a harder line on fence requirements. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
Neighbor Fence Rules
North Carolina has no shared-fence cost statute, so Matthews homeowners are individually responsible for fences they install; disputes with neighbors are civil matters.
Key details: Shared Cost: No NC statute. Responsibility: Installer pays. Survey: Recommended. Disputes: Civil court. HOA: Often governs.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Matthews is more permissive than most cities when it comes to neighbor fence rules. That said, there are still limits.
Pool Barriers
Residential swimming pools in Matthews must be enclosed by a minimum 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates per the North Carolina Residential Code Appendix V.
Key details: Height: 48 in min. Gate: Self-close self-latch. Latch Height: 54 in min. Code: NC Res Code App V. Permit: Required.
No Certificate of Occupancy, stop-use order, potential liability exposure.
Compared to other cities, Matthews takes a harder line on pool barriers. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
Height Limits
Matthews UDO permits fences up to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards in residential districts, with taller fences requiring special approval.
Key details: Front Yard: 4 ft max. Side/Rear: 6 ft max. Over 6 ft: Requires approval. Corner Sight: 3 ft triangle. Penalty: $100 to $500 per day.
Zoning violation, removal order, civil penalty $100 to $500 per day.
Material Restrictions
Matthews UDO restricts fence materials in residential districts to wood, vinyl, ornamental metal, masonry, and chain link, with finished side facing out and prohibitions on barbed wire and electrified fences.
Key details: Allowed: Wood, vinyl, metal, chain link. Finished Side: Faces out. Prohibited: Barbed, electric in res. Historic: Extra standards. Chain Link: Not in front yard.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
The Bottom Line
Matthews is tougher than many cities when it comes to fence regulations. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Matthews, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.
These rules come from Matthews's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.