Fence Regulations in Charlottesville, VA (2026)
3 verified fence regulations for Charlottesville, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Charlottesville regulates every fence and wall on city lots under the Development Code, not by a simple front/side/rear number. Barbed and concertina wire are banned outright, and no fence or wall may block sight lines at an intersection or driveway.
Charlottesville Fence Height and Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville Development Code § 4.8.1.C.1.b-d, C.2.d, D.1.a-c
4.8.1. Fences and Walls ... C. Design and Installation 1. Material ... b. No wall, fence, or screen may be constructed of tires, junk, or other discarded materials. c. Fences and walls constructed of materials with a finished side must face the finished side toward the adjacent property. d. Barbed wire or concertina wire is not allowed. 2. Location ... d. No wall or fence may interfere with vis...
Retaining Walls
A retaining wall in Charlottesville tops out at 8 feet, but builders can stagger two shorter walls instead, each capped at 6 feet with at least 3 feet between them, under the Development Code's fences-and-walls division.
Charlottesville Retaining Wall Height Rules
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville Development Code § 4.8.2.C
The maximum height of a retaining wall is 8 feet; however, two or more retaining walls are allowed when they comply with the following standards a. The minimum horizontal distance between the walls is 3 feet. b. None of the retaining walls exceeds 6 feet in height. ... All retaining walls of 6 feet or greater in height must be landscaped to be completely screened from view to the standards of a...
Material Restrictions
In the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, no fence, wall or barrier enclosing a lot may include barbed ends, barbed wire, razor wire or similar material anywhere in the city, with one exception: commercial and industrial parcels may top a wall or fence with such material only if installed at least six feet above ground level. City Code § 5-152 gives violators just ten days to remove noncompliant fencing once notified.
Barbed Wire Fences Banned in Charlottesville
Significant RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code § 5-152
No person shall erect or maintain a fence, wall or other barrier wholly or partially enclosing any lot or premises within the city, where such fence, wall or barrier is made of or includes barbed ends, barbed wire or razor wire, or any similar materials, except that barbed ends of fences, barbed wire or razor wire, and similar materials, may be used on top of any wall or fence wholly or partial...