Springdale's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Springdale, Arkansas, there are 5 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.

Permit Requirements

Springdale fence installations are reviewed by the Building and Development Services Department under Chapter 22 (Building) and Chapter 130 (Zoning). A permit is generally required and must clear zoning height, sight-triangle, and floodplain checks before installation. Applications and questions go to 201 Spring Street or 479-756-8200.

Key details: Permit Office: Building Dept., 201 Spring St.. Phone: 479-756-8200. Code Reference: Chapter 22 & Chapter 130. Site Plan Required: Location, height, materials. Extra Review: Floodplain & sight triangles.

Installing a fence without the required permit or in violation of Chapter 130 height, materials, or setback rules is a zoning and code violation. Code Enforcement can issue stop-work orders, require after-the-fact permitting at higher cost, or order removal of a non-conforming fence under the City Code.

Height Limits

Springdale regulates fence height through Chapter 130 (Zoning Ordinance) by district rather than a single citywide cap. Industrial uses required to be enclosed (I-3 Sec. 4.5) and commercial sites adjacent to residential (Secs. 3.2-3.8) must install a six-foot opaque screen fence or wall. Specific residential height limits for front, side, and rear yards are set in Chapter 130 and should be verified with the Building Department.

Key details: Zoning Code: Chapter 130 (Articles 3, 4, 6, 11). Industrial Enclosure: 6 ft min (Sec. 4.5, I-3). Commercial Screen: 6 ft opaque + 5 ft landscape. Sight Triangle: Corner lots restricted. Verify With: Building Dept. 479-756-8200.

A fence that exceeds the height permitted for its zoning district, blocks a corner-lot sight triangle, or sits on or beyond the property line is a Chapter 130 zoning violation. Code Enforcement can order it shortened, modified, or removed and issue citations under the City Code. Industrial or commercial sites without the required six-foot opaque screen against residential property can be cited under Sections 3.2-3.8 or 4.5.

Neighbor Fence Rules

Springdale's Code of Ordinances does not require a neighbor's consent to install a fence on your own land. Boundary and partition-fence disputes between adjoining owners are handled under Arkansas state law (A.C.A. Title 2, Chapter 39) and the common law of property, not the City Code.

Key details: City Consent: Not required. State Law: A.C.A. Title 2, Chapter 39. Partition Fence: A.C.A. 2-39-105. Disputes Forum: Washington County Circuit Court. Best Practice: Boundary survey first.

Building over the property line is not a city code violation but exposes the owner to a private trespass or ejectment action under Arkansas common law. Removing or damaging a shared partition fence without the co-owner's consent can create liability under A.C.A. 2-39-105. Misstating boundary information on a city permit can void it.

The rules around neighbor fence rules in Springdale lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Approved Materials

Springdale's Code of Ordinances does not publish a closed list of allowed residential fence materials. Wood, vinyl, ornamental metal, chain link, and masonry are generally permitted if Chapter 130 height and placement rules are met. Commercial sites adjacent to residential and I-3 industrial uses must use an opaque screen fence under Sections 3.2-3.8 and 4.5.

Key details: Allowed (Residential): Wood, vinyl, metal, chain link, masonry. Opaque Screen Rule: Secs. 3.2-3.8, 4.5. Outdoor Storage: Opaque screen (C-6). Masonry Walls: Separate building permit. Floodplain Check: Chapter 50 review.

Installing razor wire or non-opaque fencing where Chapter 130 requires an opaque screen, exceeding district height caps, or failing to obtain a fence permit is a zoning violation. The Zoning Officer or Code Enforcement may order removal or modification and impose municipal fines under Chapter 22.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Springdale gives residents more flexibility on approved materials.

Pool Barriers

Pools, hot tubs, and spas deeper than 24 inches in Springdale must be enclosed by a barrier under the city's Premises Maintenance Code (Chapter 91, Article III, Division 3) and the Arkansas adoption of the 2021 International Residential Code Chapter 42 (Appendix G) and 2021 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code. Barriers must be at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Key details: Code Reference: Chapter 91 Art. III Div. 3; 2021 IRC App. G. State Adoption: 2021 AR Residential Code + ISPSC. Min Barrier Height: 48 inches. Opening Limit: 4-inch sphere blocked. Gate Hardware: Self-close, self-latch, outward.

An outdoor pool deeper than 24 inches without a 48-inch barrier, a gate without self-closing or self-latching hardware, or openings exceeding the 4-inch-sphere test is a code violation enforced by the Springdale Building and Code Enforcement offices. Penalties include drain orders, daily fines under Chapter 22, and attractive-nuisance civil liability.

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

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Springdale gives residents more room on fence regulations. 2 of the 5 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Springdale'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.