Fence Regulations in West Allis, WI: What Residents Actually Need to Know
If you live in West Allis or are thinking about moving there, fence regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. West Allis has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fence regulations, and some of them might surprise you.
Height Limits
West Allis caps residential fences at six feet in side and rear yards, bans them in required front-yard setbacks, and applies the same rule to the street-facing side of corner lots.
Key details: Front yard: No fence in setback. Side/rear yard: Up to 6 feet. Corner lot: Short side = front, no fence. Sightline triangle: 3-ft max near intersections (§13.30).
A fence taller than six feet in a side or rear yard, or any fence built in a required front-yard setback or corner sightline triangle, violates the code and can be ordered removed.
Retaining Walls
West Allis exempts retaining walls under five feet from permitting; walls five feet or taller need a building permit under Revised Municipal Code § 13.05.
Key details: Permit-exempt: walls under 5 feet. Permit required: walls 5 feet or taller. Issuing agency: Code Enforcement Department. Governing section: RMC § 13.05.
Building or replacing a retaining wall five feet or taller without a permit means the work must be corrected, by obtaining a permit after the fact or removing/correcting the work at the owner's expense, and the Building Inspector may issue a stop-work order on ongoing construction.
Material Restrictions
West Allis fences must use approved materials like commercial fencing, block, or treated lumber: sheet metal, salvage materials, electrified fencing, and single-strand wire fences are all prohibited.
Key details: Approved materials: Commercial fencing, block, treated lumber. Banned: Sheet metal, salvage material. Banned: Electrified fences. Banned: Single-strand wire fences.
Building a fence from sheet metal or salvage material, electrifying it, or stringing a single-strand wire fence violates Section 13.31 and can be ordered corrected by Code Enforcement.
Neighbor Fence Rules
West Allis requires the finished side of fences face neighbors. Shared boundary fences follow WI line fence statute. Disputes handled through city mediation or town supervisor process.
Key details: Finished Side: Must face neighbor. Line Fence: WI Stat. 90.02. Disputes: City mediation. Cost Sharing: Per state statute.
Civil dispute for cost-sharing in urban areas. Rural: town supervisor adjudication per §90.02. Property line encroachments: survey and civil remedy.
The Bottom Line
West Allis'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 West Allis is broadly strict or permissive.
This guide is based on West Allis's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.