Saint Paul's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Saint Paul, Minnesota, 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

Retaining walls over 4 feet tall in Saint Paul require a building permit and engineered plans. Only segmental block, CMU, or poured concrete walls are generally approved by the city.

Key details: Permit Threshold: Over 4 feet tall. Measurement: Footing bottom to wall top. Approved Materials: Segmental block, CMU, poured concrete. Engineering Required: Yes, for walls over 4 feet.

Building a retaining wall over 4 feet without a permit can result in a stop-work order, mandatory engineering review, and potential requirement to remove and rebuild the wall. Administrative fines may be assessed for continued noncompliance.

Height Limits

All fences in Saint Paul must be on the owner's property and kept in good repair. Sec. 60.209 sets zoning rules, historic district guidelines, and corner-lot visibility standards.

Key details: Code Section: Sec. 60.209. Property Placement: Must be entirely on owner's land. Maintenance: Must be structurally sound. Historic Districts: HPC approval required.

Fences in disrepair, improperly located on neighboring property, or blocking sight triangles may trigger a code compliance notice from DSI. Property owners typically receive 30 days to correct the violation before administrative citations are issued.

Fence Permit Requirements

All fences in Saint Paul require a plan review and permit from DSI. The base fee is $45 for the first 200 lineal feet. Inspections are required for fences over 7 feet, pool fences, and barbed wire.

Key details: Permit Fee: $45 for first 200 lineal feet. Additional Footage: $15 per additional 100 lineal feet. Variance Fee: $85 nonrefundable. Inspections Required: Over 7 ft, pool fences, barbed wire.

Installing a fence without the required permit may result in a stop-work order, a requirement to obtain the permit retroactively with potential double fees, or an order to remove the fence. Code violations are enforced by the Department of Safety and Inspections.

Material Restrictions

Saint Paul bans barbed wire fencing on or near any residential lot and prohibits aboveground electric fences citywide except for animal containment at Como Zoo. Where barbed wire is allowed, non-residential lots only, it is capped at three strands starting six feet above grade, requires a building official application, and needs an annual $49 insurance-backed registration. City Code Sec. 33.07(f)-(g) governs.

Key details: Barbed wire: banned on/abutting residential lots. Max strands allowed: 3, non-residential sites only. Minimum bottom-strand height: 6 feet from grade. Annual registration fee: $49.00. Electric fences: banned citywide except Como Zoo.

Building a barbed wire fence on a residential lot, running more than three strands, hanging the bottom strand below six feet, or skipping the building official application and insurance certificate is a Sec. 33.09 misdemeanor; any aboveground electric fence outside Como Zoo is a violation too. The building official can require removal, and a lapsed insurance certificate voids an existing barbed wire registration.

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

The Bottom Line

Saint Paul'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 Saint Paul is broadly strict or permissive.

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