Fence Regulations in Davenport, IA (2026)
6 verified fence regulations for Davenport, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Davenport caps solid fences at 4 feet and open fences at 6 feet within front and reverse-corner-side setbacks. Interior side and rear fences may reach 6 feet, and fences inside the buildable area may reach 8 feet.
Davenport Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsDavenport, IA, Municipal Code § 17.09.030(H)(2)
Within the required front or reverse corner side setback, solid fences are limited in height to four feet and open fences are limited to a height of six feet. Chain-link fences or other similar wire materials are prohibited. Within the required minimum interior side or rear setback, fences are limited to a height of six feet (open or solid).
Permit Requirements
Davenport requires a building permit only for fences taller than six feet. Residential fences six feet or under need no permit, but all fences must still meet zoning height, setback, material, and visibility-triangle rules.
Davenport Fence Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsCity of Davenport, Building & Land Development, Permit Requirements (fences not requiring a permit)
Fences on residential property not over six feet high.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Davenport imposes no residential cost-sharing mandate on boundary fences; each owner builds on their own land. City code does require a fence's finished side to face outward. Iowa Code Chapter 359A partition-fence rules apply to agricultural land.
Davenport Neighbor & Boundary Fence Rules
Few RestrictionsDavenport, IA, Municipal Code § 17.09.030(H)(1)(b)
When only one side of a fence is finished, the finished side of all fences must face away from the lot on which it is located.
Retaining Walls
Davenport requires a building permit for retaining walls over four feet, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or for any wall supporting a surcharge. Walls follow the adopted 2021 International Building and Residential Codes.
Davenport Retaining Wall Regulations
Some RestrictionsCity of Davenport, Building & Land Development, Permit Requirements (retaining walls not requiring a permit)
Retaining walls which are not over four feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids; any wood or landscape timber walls.
Pool Barriers
Davenport requires residential pools and spas to have barriers meeting the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, Chapter 305: a minimum 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates. Swimming pools require a building permit.
Davenport Pool Barrier & Fence Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsDavenport, IA, Municipal Code § 15.12.052 (IRC R327 modified)
The design and construction of pools and spas shall comply with the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code Chapter 305 entitled "Barrier Requirements."
Approved Materials
Davenport's fence code bans scrap metal, corrugated and sheet metal, razor wire, pallets, plywood, OSB, and reused materials, plus electric fences except for livestock. Chain-link is prohibited in front and reverse-corner-side setbacks.
Davenport Fence Material Rules
Some RestrictionsDavenport, IA, Municipal Code § 17.09.030(H)(1)(g)
The following materials are prohibited in the construction of fences: i. Scrap metal. ii. Corrugated metal. iii. Sheet metal. iv. Electrical fences or any kind of electrically charged fences, unless used as part of livestock enclosures. v. Razor wire. vi. Pallets. vii. Oriented strand board (OSB). viii. Plywood. ix. Used or repurposed material.