Fence Regulations in Independence, MO (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Independence, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Independence limits residential fences to 3 feet (50% transparent) in front and street-side yards, and 6 feet without a permit, up to 8 feet with one, in interior side and rear yards.
Independence Privacy Fence Height and Placement
Some RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance § 14-400-02-B.2, .3(a)-(b)
2.No fence or wall in a residential district may exceed eight feet in height.3.Residential fencing locations, see Figure 400-1 below.(a)Interior Side and Rear Yards — Fences or walls in interior side or rear yards shall not exceed six feet without a fence permit, or up to eight feet with a fence permit.(b)Front and Street Side Yards — Except for fencing around bona-fide agricultural activities,...
Fence Permit Requirements
Independence requires a fence permit for residential side or rear yard fences over 6 feet (up to 8 feet), and for all fencing built in office, commercial, and industrial districts.
Independence Fence Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance § 14-400-02-B.3(a)
(a)Interior Side and Rear Yards — Fences or walls in interior side or rear yards shall not exceed six feet without a fence permit, or up to eight feet with a fence permit.(b)Front and Street Side Yards — Except for fencing around bona-fide agricultural activities, no fence or wall located in front yard of a residence, or along a side street in front of a residence, shall exceed three feet in he...
Retaining Walls
Independence exempts retaining walls up to 4 feet in height from a building permit unless they support a surcharge or hold back Class I, II, or IIIA liquids, in which case a permit is required.
Retaining Wall Rules in Independence, MO
Some RestrictionsIndependence City Code § 4.05.002 (Building Code § 105.2, as amended)
Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.5.Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1.6.Sidewalks and driveways no...
Material Restrictions
Independence prohibits spikes, sharp cresting, and barbed wire on any fence, building, or premises next to a street or sidewalk, banning materials likely to snag, cut, or injure passersby.
Independence Bars Barbed Wire, Spikes
Significant RestrictionsIndependence City Code § 17.01.009
No person shall place or permit to be placed or to remain on or along any railroad or building front, or any part of any building, fence, or premises, adjacent or contiguous to the traveled portion of any street or sidewalk, any spikes or sharp-pointed cresting or any barbed wire or other thing dangerous and liable to snag, tear, cut, or otherwise injure anyone coming in contact therewith.
Looking for Jackson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Independence city rules.
Fence Regulations in Jackson County →