Fence Regulations in Mount Vernon, NY (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Mount Vernon, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Mount Vernon sets fence height by yard and district under City Code § 267-14.B: open wrought-iron or masonry fences top out at four feet in front yards, three feet if solid masonry, and six feet in side and rear yards, rising to eight feet on lots over 7,000 square feet with 75-foot frontage. The Building Department also enforces sight-triangle limits at street corners under § 267-13.C.
Mount Vernon Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code § 267-14.B(1)
Front yard. ... Wrought iron or aluminum fences and masonry walls of at least 25% open construction, or any combination thereof, not exceeding four feet in height, are permitted within required front yards. Solid masonry walls, whether used on their own or in combination with other types of fences, shall not exceed three feet in height. ... Side and rear yards. Fences and masonry walls not exce...
Fence Permit Requirements
Mount Vernon's Building Commissioner cannot issue a permit for a fence that violates the height and material standards in City Code § 267-14B unless the Zoning Board of Appeals grants a variance under § 267-52. Front-yard fences over four feet and side or rear fences over six feet trigger that review.
Mount Vernon Fence Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code § 267-52; § 267-14B(1)
Except under written authorization of the Board of Appeals, as provided in Article IX of this chapter, no building permit shall be issued for any land, building or structure where said action would be in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. ... Front yard. Wrought iron or aluminum fences and masonry walls of at least 25% open construction, or any combination thereof, not exceedin...
Retaining Walls
Mount Vernon requires a certificate of appropriateness from the Architectural Review Board before any building permit issues for a proposed retaining wall. The five-member Board reviews design, materials, height and mass at a public meeting before permitting can proceed.
Mount Vernon Retaining Wall Approval
Significant RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code § 10-5.D(1)
The Architectural Review Board must issue a certificate of appropriateness related to the construction and site landscaping of any new structures (primary and accessory) or the exterior improvement, alteration, remodeling, repairing and/or enlargement of any existing structures, including changes of materials, windows, doors, proposed fences, proposed retaining walls, proposed freestanding wall...
Material Restrictions
Mount Vernon bans electrically charged fences, barbed-wire fences and any fence built of sharp materials citywide under City Code § 267-14.B(3)(f). The one exception lets barbed or razor wire top a fence in the I-Industrial District, but only if it sits at least eight feet above the ground, stays invisible from any residence district within 250 feet, and the City Council approves it.
Mount Vernon Barbed Wire Fence Ban
Significant RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code § 267-14.B(3)(f)
Electrically charged fences, barbed-wire fences and other fences constructed of sharp materials are not permitted. Barbed wire or razor is permitted as part of a fence in an I-Industrial District, provided such barbed wire is located at least eight feet above the ground and is not visible from any residence district within 250 feet thereof and approval has been granted by the City Council.
Looking for Westchester County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mount Vernon city rules.
Fence Regulations in Westchester County →