Fence Regulations in Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)
6 verified fence regulations for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Under Fort Lauderdale ULDR Section 47-19.5, fence, wall, and hedge heights are governed by Table 1: in residential districts fences and walls run from 2.5 feet up to 6.5 feet (chain link up to 6.5 feet), and across residential and non-residential districts fences, walls, and hedges may reach up to 10 feet, with all heights measured from grade.
Fort Lauderdale Fence and Wall Height Limits
Some RestrictionsFort Lauderdale ULDR Sec. 47-19.5.B, Table 1 (Fences, walls and hedges)
Dimensional Requirements. The setback for a fence, wall or hedge shall depend on the height and percentage of transparency as shown in Table 1. TABLE 1 -- FENCES, WALLS AND HEDGES: Residential Zoning Districts -- Fence/Wall up to 2'-6" (N/A transparency): 0'-0" setback. Fence/Wall 2'-6"-4'-4" at 75-100% transparency: 0'-0" setback; below 75% transparency: Min. Average 3'-0" street-side setback....
Permit Requirements
A building permit is required to erect, alter, or replace a fence or wall in Fort Lauderdale, obtained through the Development Services Department's LauderBuild portal, and the fence must also comply with the zoning standards of ULDR Section 47-19.5 (height, setback, transparency, finish, and sight triangle).
Fort Lauderdale Fence Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsFort Lauderdale ULDR Sec. 47-19.5.J (Temporary fences); FBC Sec. 105.1
Temporary fences. A temporary construction fence may be permitted in conjunction with construction on a site in accordance with requirements determined by the department. The height, setback, landscaping and other requirements for a fence may be waived by the department subject to safety concerns. Such fence shall not be placed on the development site prior to final site plan approval or prior ...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Fort Lauderdale requires fences to be built on the owner's property. Florida's fence law does not mandate cost-sharing between neighbors.
Fort Lauderdale Fence Rules Between Neighbors
Some RestrictionsRetaining Walls
Fort Lauderdale regulates retaining walls under the ULDR and the Florida Building Code. Retaining walls over 4 feet in height require building permits with sealed engineering drawings. The city's flat topography and high water table create unique foundation challenges.
Fort Lauderdale Retaining Wall Regulations
Some RestrictionsPool Barriers
Fort Lauderdale enforces pool barrier requirements under the Florida Building Code and the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Florida Statutes Chapter 515). All residential pools must have barriers at least 48 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Fort Lauderdale Pool Barrier Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 515.29
515.29  Residential swimming pool barrier requirements. — (1)  A residential swimming pool barrier must have all of the following characteristics: (a)  The barrier must be at least 4 feet high on the outside. (b)  The barrier may not have any gaps, openings, indentations, protrusions, or structural components that could allow a young child to crawl under, sque...
Material Restrictions
Fort Lauderdale ULDR Section 47-19.5 prohibits barbed wire on residential and most property (with narrow industrial and construction-site exceptions), requires walls to be finished on both sides and fences finished on the street-facing side, and bars required fences from being chain link unless specifically permitted.
Fort Lauderdale Fence Material and Finish Rules
Some RestrictionsFort Lauderdale ULDR Sec. 47-19.5.E and 47-19.5.H (Fences, walls and hedges)
Standards for Fences. Required fences shall not be constructed of chain link unless specifically permitted herein, and shall be a minimum height of five (5) feet above grade, as measured in accordance with Section 47-2.2.G.2. All fences shall be finished on the side facing the neighboring property or right-of-way, except when a new fence directly abuts an existing wall or fence preventing acces...
Looking for Broward County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Lauderdale city rules.
Fence Regulations in Broward County →