Taunton's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Taunton, Massachusetts, there are 3 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.

Fence Permit Requirements

Taunton requires a permit from the Municipal Council before anyone erects, places or changes a fence adjoining a public street, way or sidewalk. Before that permit can issue, the City Engineer must first confirm the true bounds of the street, way or sidewalk to make sure the fence will not encroach.

Key details: Permitting authority: Municipal Council or designee. Boundary verification required by: City Engineer. Work supervised by: Supervisor of Streets. Default fine (no specific penalty set): $300. Section amended: August 8, 2000.

Erecting, placing or changing a fence adjoining a public street, way or sidewalk without first obtaining a Municipal Council permit, or before the City Engineer has verified the true bounds of the way, violates Section 383-2. Because the chapter sets no specific fine for this section, the general penalty clause applies: a fine of $300 for a violation where no specific penalty is otherwise provided.

Retaining Walls

Taunton's zoning code treats any retaining wall taller than four feet as a regulated 'structure,' the same category as buildings, towers and tall fences. That means a wall over four feet needs a written permit from the City before it goes up, while a fence up to seven feet and a wall of four feet or less fall outside the definition entirely.

Key details: Height threshold: Over four feet = regulated structure. Fence threshold (comparison): Over seven feet = structure. Permit required: Written permit before construction. Engineer drawings required: Over 30,000 cubic feet of construction. Zoning determination fee: $30.

Building a regulated retaining wall (over four feet) without the required permit is a zoning violation under § 440-301B: a fine of up to $300 per offense, or, if the Building Inspector proceeds by noncriminal disposition, $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second and $300 for a third and every offense after that. Each day the unpermitted wall stands counts as a separate offense.

Height Limits

Taunton caps hedges, shrubs and fences at two feet within the sight-triangle portion of a corner lot's front yard, an area extending 50 feet along each street frontage from the corner, measured above the roadway's center-line grade. Wire fencing with wide-enough openings, or any fence set back far enough from the corner, escapes the cap.

Key details: Height cap: 2 feet within corner visibility triangle. Triangle extent: 50 feet of street frontage from the corner. Wire fence exception A: Openings at least 4 inches, any setback. Wire fence exception B: Openings at least 2 inches, 5-foot setback. Any-fence exception: 10-foot setback from corner property line.

A corner-lot fence, hedge or shrub that blocks the visibility triangle is a Chapter 440 violation under § 440-301B, punishable by a fine of up to $300 per offense, with every day the obstruction remains counted as a separate offense. The City can instead pursue noncriminal disposition: $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second, and $300 for a third and any later offense. The Zoning Enforcement Officer can order an oversized fence, hedge or shrub cut down or moved to restore the sightline.

The Bottom Line

Taunton'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 Taunton is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Taunton 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.