How Wilmington Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide
Wilmington maintains 83 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Wilmington falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Material Restrictions
Wilmington's zoning code bans open barbed-wire and other injury-causing wire fencing below six feet in every zoning district, per Sec. 18-554(b). In front yards citywide, chain link, woven wire, and electric or barbed wire fencing are prohibited outright unless the property is a bona fide farm, utility substation, or government facility, and fences built from exposed concrete block, tires, or junk are barred everywhere.
Key details: Open wire injury fences: Banned below 6 ft, all districts. Front-yard chain link/wire: Prohibited citywide. Front-yard electric/barbed wire: Prohibited citywide. Exceptions: Farms, substations, government facilities. Barbed wire near ROW: Banned within 1 ft, Sec. 11-5.
A barbed-wire fence built within one foot of a street right-of-way without city engineer approval violates Sec. 11-5, and under Sec. 11-1 that carries a twenty-five dollar civil penalty, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. A front-yard fence made of prohibited chain link, woven wire, electric, or barbed wire under Sec. 18-554(e), or open wire fencing under six feet under Sec. 18-554(b), is a zoning violation the city can require corrected or removed.
Height Limits
Wilmington caps residential front-yard fences at four feet, with the board of adjustment able to approve up to six feet next to thoroughfares if the fence is set back at least half the required front setback (or 15 feet, whichever is greater) and stays at least half open above four feet. Side and rear yard fences can run up to eight feet without a variance.
Key details: Front yard height: 4 feet, 6 feet by variance near thoroughfares. Side/rear height: 8 feet maximum, no variance needed. Variance setback: Half front setback or 15 feet, greater. Barbed wire: Banned below 6 feet in any district. Vision triangle: No obstruction 30 inches to 10 feet high.
A fence that exceeds the four-foot front-yard or eight-foot side/rear limit without an approved variance, blocks the vision-clearance triangle under Sec. 18-556, or uses a prohibited material like barbed wire or exposed concrete block violates Sec. 18-554 and carries the general civil penalty in Sec. 18-52(b): $100 for a first violation, $200 for each repeat, with every day of noncompliance a separate offense.
The Bottom Line
Wilmington'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 Wilmington is broadly strict or permissive.
This guide is based on Wilmington's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.