Fence Regulations in South Jordan, UT

If you live in South Jordan or are thinking about moving there, fence regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. South Jordan has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fence regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Fence Permit Requirements

South Jordan requires a City permit before building any collector-street fence or any fence over six feet tall; a shorter, interior-lot fence generally doesn't need one under City Code § 17.04.150.

Key details: Permit trigger: height: Fence over 6 feet tall. Permit trigger: location: Any collector street fence. Governing section: City Code § 17.04.150. Usually no permit needed: Fences 6 feet or under.

Building a fence over six feet, or a collector-street fence, without first obtaining City approval is a zoning violation; South Jordan can require removal, alteration, or after-the-fact permitting before the fence may remain.

Material Restrictions

South Jordan limits front-yard fencing in residential zones to nonobscuring wrought iron or vinyl picket up to four feet, or masonry/solid vinyl up to three feet: no other materials qualify under City Code § 17.40.020.

Key details: Front yard, open fence: 4 ft, nonobscuring materials only. Front yard, solid fence: 3 ft, masonry or solid vinyl. Rear/side yard fence: 6 ft, no material limit. Governing chapter: Title 17, Chapter 17.40 Residential Zones.

Installing a front-yard fence in a material or height outside the two allowed categories is a zoning violation; South Jordan's Planning Department can require removal or reconstruction to a conforming material and height.

Retaining Walls

South Jordan requires a building permit and licensed engineer's design for most retaining walls, caps a single wall at nine feet, and limits terraced walls to a combined eighteen feet unless the City Engineer approves an exception.

Key details: Permit trigger: Over 4 ft exposed height. Single-wall cap: 9 feet without City Engineer OK. Terraced-wall cap: 18 feet combined height. Design requirement: Utah-licensed professional engineer.

Building or altering a retaining wall over the exempt height thresholds without a permit and engineer's design violates § 16.44.360; walls must also be kept structurally sound, and the City Engineer can require corrective work.

Height Limits

South Jordan caps rear and side yard fences at 6 feet, while front yard fences top out at 4 feet for open styles or 3 feet for solid masonry and hedges.

Key details: Rear/side yard fence: 6 feet max. Front yard open fence: 4 feet max. Front yard masonry/hedge: 3 feet max. Clear vision triangle: 3 ft obstruction limit.

Violating South Jordan's zoning code, including fence height limits, is a Class C misdemeanor under § 17.04.090; each day the violation continues is a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

South Jordan'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 South Jordan is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that South Jordan 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.