How Sandy Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide
Sandy maintains 131 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Sandy falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Retaining Walls
A property-line retaining wall in Sandy cannot exceed five feet under City Code 21-28-8. Taller cuts or fills must be stepped into terraces at least five feet apart, and the Planning Commission can grant a hardship exception when strict stepping would leave an unusable yard.
Key details: Property-line wall limit: 5 feet. Stepped wall separation: Minimum 5 feet horizontal. Wall + fence combined cap: 11 feet (21-28-3). Exception authority: Planning Commission. Governing chapter: City Code Ch. 21-28, Fencing.
Sandy's Community Development Department enforces the fencing chapter through the standard zoning code enforcement process; a wall built over five feet on a property line without stepping, or without an approved Planning Commission hardship exception, is a code violation subject to a correction order and the City's standard municipal code enforcement remedies, including citation if the wall is not brought into compliance or removed.
Height Limits
Sandy caps residential side and rear fences at six feet and front-yard fences at three feet solid or four feet open under City Code 21-28-3. Corner lots must keep a clear sight-visibility triangle, and fences on slopes can reach seven feet.
Key details: Side/rear yard fence limit: 6 feet. Front yard fence limit: 3 ft solid, 4 ft open. Corner sight triangle: 60 ft from curb lines. Fence on slope, max: 7 feet (avg 6 ft 6 in). Post/pillar extension allowed: 12 inches above max height.
The Community Development Department administers Chapter 21-28 as part of Sandy's zoning code; a fence built over these height limits, built of unapproved materials, or encroaching into the required sight-visibility triangle is a zoning violation subject to a correction notice and standard municipal code enforcement, including required removal or modification if not corrected.
Material Restrictions
Sandy bans barbed wire and similar intrusion-deterrent fencing on residential and vacant lots unless the Director approves it for public safety, health or welfare, including farm-animal and utility fencing. Commercial and industrial properties get a standing exception for security purposes.
Key details: Barbed wire (residential): Prohibited without Director approval. Approval grounds: Public safety, health, or welfare only. Commercial/industrial exception: Barbed/security wire allowed for security. Approved materials list: Lumber, vinyl, chainlink, wrought iron, concrete, block. Max residential fence height: 6 ft side/rear yard.
Installing barbed wire, razor wire, or similar intrusion-deterrent fencing on a residential or vacant lot without the Director's public-safety, health, or welfare approval under §21-28-7 is a fencing-code violation. Because Chapter 21-28 states it 'shall prevail notwithstanding' less restrictive private covenants, an unapproved barbed-wire fence is enforceable by the City even where a subdivision's own rules are silent on the material, and noncompliant fencing can be ordered corrected or removed.
Compared to other cities, Sandy takes a harder line on material restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
The Bottom Line
Sandy'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 Sandy is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Sandy'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.