Fence Regulations in Greensboro, NC (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Greensboro, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Greensboro's Land Development Ordinance limits residential fences and walls to 4 feet within 15 feet of any street right-of-way, up to 6 feet along thoroughfare-adjacent yards with no driveway or sight-line conflict, and 7 feet everywhere else. Fences citywide cannot obstruct sightlines at street, driveway or drive intersections, and posts may rise only 18 inches above the fence line.
Greensboro Fence Height and Corner Visibility Rules
Some RestrictionsGreensboro Land Development Ordinance §§ 30-9-4.6(A), 30-9-4.7(A)
A. Residential Uses Except as provided in this subsection, no fence or wall may exceed 4 feet in height within 15 feet of any public or private street right-of-way. On lots where the rear or side yard adjoins a major thoroughfare or a minor thoroughfare and there is no driveway access and no sight distance interference, no fence or wall may exceed 6 feet in height within 15 feet of the thorough...
Fence Permit Requirements
Building a fence, wall or similar structure inside a Greensboro street right-of-way is unlawful without a written permit from the city manager under Sec. 26-8, and even with one, the fence can't top six feet or sit closer than five feet from the curb (ten feet from the pavement edge where there's no curb). This governs only fences that encroach into the public right-of-way, not fences built entirely on private property.
Greensboro Fence Permits in Street Rights-of-Way
Some RestrictionsGreensboro Code of Ordinances § 26-8
(a)It shall be unlawful to build, erect, construct or place or maintain any fence, steps, wall or any other structures in or over any of the streets, street rights-of-way, or sidewalks of the city. Pursuant to G.S. § 14-4, any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor with a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00)... (2)Any owner who desires to erect a fence or other simi...
Retaining Walls
Greensboro's Land Development Ordinance allows retaining walls to encroach into required yard setbacks, but caps their height at 4 feet wherever they sit inside a single-family home's street setback. The general Code of Ordinances separately exempts retaining walls from the city's intersection sight-triangle obstruction rule as a permanent structure.
Greensboro Retaining Wall Height Limit In Setbacks
Some RestrictionsGreensboro Land Development Ordinance § 30-7-1.4(C)(9)
C. Encroachments into Required Setbacks The following are allowed in required setbacks provided that compliance is maintained with the provisions of Section 16-8 of the City Code (Obstructions to Cross-Visibility at Intersections): ... 9. Retaining walls except in single-family street setbacks where they are not permitted to be more than 4 feet in height.
Material Restrictions
Greensboro's Land Development Ordinance bans barbed or razor wire fences, electrified fences, and flammable-material fences citywide, except for enclosing livestock on agricultural land. Barbed or razor wire topping is also barred in residential and several commercial districts.
Greensboro Bars Barbed Wire and Electric Fences
Significant RestrictionsGreensboro Land Development Ordinance § 30-9-4.5
30-9-4.5 Prohibited Fence/Wall Heights The following fence and wall types are prohibited: A. fences or walls constructed primarily of barbed or razor wire, except for the purpose of enclosing livestock for agricultural purposes; B. fences or walls carrying electrical current, except for the purpose of enclosing livestock for agricultural purposes or as allowed in 30-9-4.7(G); C. fences or walls...
Looking for Guilford County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Greensboro city rules.
Fence Regulations in Guilford County →