Fence Regulations in Fishers, IN (2026)
5 verified fence regulations for Fishers, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Fishers regulates fence height by location under Unified Development Ordinance Sec. 6.18.2. A fence in a required primary front yard of a residential district maxes out at 4 feet and must be at least 50% open. Side and rear yards of a one- or two-family lot allow up to 6 feet. Fences enclosing an institutional/industrial use may reach 8 feet.
Fishers Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsFishers Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 6.18.2(B) Walls & Fences
Within a required primary front yard of a residential zoning district... Max Height 4', Openness 50%. Within a required or established side or rear yard of a one- or two family residential lot... 6'. Enclosing an institutional industrial use... 8', May consist of open mesh.
Fence Permit Requirements
Fishers does NOT require a building permit to build a fence or wall. UDO Sec. 6.18.1 states plainly that walls and fences do not require a building permit, but they must comply with all standards in Article 6.18. So a fence is permit-free, yet still has to meet height, openness, material, vision-clearance, and waterway-setback rules.
Fishers Fence Permits
Few RestrictionsFishers Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 6.18.1 Purpose & Intent
Walls and fences do not require a building permit, but they must comply with the requirements of this Article.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Under Fishers UDO Sec. 6.18.2(C), a fence's non-structural side (posts and beams) must face outward toward the property line. UNLESS the two adjoining owners share the cost. Fences may sit on the line but cannot encroach into easements or the right-of-way. Boundary and cost-sharing disputes fall under Indiana law.
Fishers Fence Neighbor Rules
Some RestrictionsFishers Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 6.18.2(C) Fence Installation
Walls and fences shall be constructed with the non-structural (e.g., posts, beams) facing outward (e.g., toward the property line). Walls or fences on a property line in which two (2) or more property owners share in the expense of the wall or fence, shall not be subject to this provision.
Retaining Walls
Fishers' UDO sets no separate height table for retaining walls, but carves them out of the waterway rule: a retaining wall that does not obstruct access is exempt from the 15-foot top-of-bank setback that applies to walls and fences (Sec. 6.18.2(F)). Permitting of taller retaining walls is governed by the Indiana Residential Code.
Fishers Retaining Walls
Some RestrictionsFishers Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 6.18.2(F)
Walls and fences shall not be built within 15 feet of the top of bank of any lake, pond, or waterway. ... This provision does not apply to retaining walls that do not obstruct access.
Material Restrictions
Fishers' UDO does not publish an approved-materials list for fences, so common materials, wood, vinyl, aluminum, ornamental steel, and (in commercial/industrial settings) open mesh, are generally acceptable provided the fence meets the height, openness, finished-side, and safety standards in Sec. 6.18.2. The clear limits are the ban on barbed/electrified wire and the 50%-open requirement in primary front yards.
Fishers Fence Materials
Some RestrictionsFishers Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 6.18.2(B) and (I)
Enclosing an institutional industrial use ... Max Height 8' ... May consist of open mesh. ... fences and walls shall not incorporate barbed wire, security wire, sharpened top spikes, electrified wires or the like.
Looking for Hamilton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fishers city rules.
Fence Regulations in Hamilton County →