Fence Regulations in Midwest City, OK

Midwest City maintains 127 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Midwest City falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Retaining Walls

Midwest City's subdivision ordinance requires retaining walls built within five feet of a property line to meet city engineer-approved design standards, use masonry or concrete, and be shown on the approved plat before construction.

Key details: Trigger distance: Within 5 ft of a property line. Required materials: Masonry or concrete only. Design approval: City engineer OKs alternative designs. Plat timing: Cross-lot walls built before final plat. Maintenance duty: Owner or HOA maintains wall.

Section 38-54 sets no wall-specific fine, so it falls under the Code's general penalty, § 1-8: up to $200 plus costs or 30 days' imprisonment, with each day of violation a separate offense. Required walls must also be built before the city will approve the final plat.

Fence Permit Requirements

Midwest City requires a permit before building any residential fence, with the fee set in the city's fee table; front and side yard fences are capped at four feet while rear yard fences can reach eight feet.

Key details: Permit required: Before any residential fence is built. Permit fee: $50 flat fee (fee table § 9-47). Front/side height limit: 4 feet, at least half open. Rear yard height limit: Up to 8 feet. Over-height front fence: Needs Board of Adjustment approval.

Building a fence without a permit, or a front-yard fence over four feet without Board of Adjustment approval, is a zoning violation the city can cite and require corrected.

Material Restrictions

Midwest City residential fences must use wood, vinyl, metal slats, wrought iron, brick, stone, chain-link, or approved ribbed steel panels; sheet metal, plastic, corrugated panels, plywood, and stockade wood posts are prohibited.

Key details: Permit: Required before construction. Approved materials: Wood, vinyl, wrought iron, brick, chain-link. Prohibited materials: Sheet metal, plastic, plywood, stockade posts. Applies to: Two-family, single-family districts. Citation: Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.3(B)(3).

Installing a fence with a prohibited material, or letting fencing rust, deteriorate, or fall into disrepair, violates the Zoning Ordinance and can trigger a code enforcement order to repair or replace it.

Height Limits

Midwest City limits front and side yard fences to 4 feet with at least half the fence open to view, while rear yard fences can reach 8 feet; taller, sight-proof front or side fencing needs Board of Adjustment approval.

Key details: Front/side yard height cap: 4 feet. Rear yard height cap: 8 feet. Front/side fence openness: At least 50% open. Taller front/side fence: Requires Board of Adjustment approval. Permit: Required before construction.

Building without the required permit, or a sight-proof fence over 4 feet in a front or side yard without Board of Adjustment approval, is a zoning violation punishable by up to a $100 fine, with each day counted separately.

This is one of the stricter rules in Midwest City's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Midwest City'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 Midwest City is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Midwest City can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.