Fence Regulations in Bowie, MD (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Bowie, Maryland, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In the City of Bowie, fences and walls over six feet tall are barred from any required yard and must meet the same setback rules as main buildings. Corner lots carry added setbacks: fences are barred from a 25-foot side street yard and must sit at least 15 feet back in the rear yard along that street.
Bowie Fence Height and Corner Lot Setbacks
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code § 26-2E(1), J
Except as hereinafter provided, on corner lots where the building restriction line of the side street yard is located 25 feet from the property line, fences are prohibited in the side yard. Fences in the rear yard on these corner lots shall be at least 15 feet from the property line at any given point along or abutting the side street; however, a fence may be located in any part of the side str...
Fence Permit Requirements
Bowie bars fences in the front yard between a home's front building line and the street, so most residential front fences simply are not permitted at all. The one carve-out is for pre-1960 homes in the Huntington section, where a front fence up to four feet, built of approved historic materials, needs a City building permit.
Bowie Fence Building Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsBowie City Code § 26-2D(1), (2)
Except as hereinafter provided, fences are prohibited between the front building line of any residential dwelling and any publicly dedicated street, private street or parking area. ... Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection D(1) of this section, front yard fences may be constructed beyond the front building line of those dwellings located in the Huntington section of the City which were c...
Retaining Walls
In the City of Bowie, a retaining wall taller than six feet cannot stand inside any required yard and must meet the same setback distances that apply to a main building on the lot. The fence chapter separately protects any safety guard or fence required atop a retaining wall from the general placement restrictions.
Bowie Retaining Wall Height and Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code § 26-2C(3), J
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the installation of a required guard or fence on a retaining wall or other structure. ... Fences and walls (including retaining walls) more than six feet high may not be located in any required yard and shall meet the setback requirements for main buildings.
Material Restrictions
The City of Bowie treats taller fences, electric fences, and barbed or razor wire atop a fence or wall as security exceptions, not standard options. A landowner who needs heightened security must file a security exemption plan with the Planning Director and win approval before installing any of the three.
Bowie Barbed Wire and Electric Fence Rules
Significant RestrictionsBowie City Code § 26-44A, B
A landowner in need of heightened security may submit to the Planning Director a security exemption plan proposing a fence or wall taller than those permitted by this section, an electric fence, or proposing the use of barbed and/or razor wire atop a fence or wall for security reasons. ... The Planning Director may approve or approve with conditions, the security exemption plan, upon finding al...
Looking for Prince George's County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bowie city rules.
Fence Regulations in Prince George's County →