Fence Regulations in Newport News, VA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Newport News, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Newport News allows tall solid security fences up to twenty feet in nonresidential zones only if set back 100 feet from public rights-of-way and attached to the main building.
Newport News Privacy & Security Fence Rules
Some RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 13-145(3)
(3)A security fence not to exceed twenty (20) feet in height shall be permitted on any lot in a non-residential zoning district provided that said fence is located no closer than one hundred (100) feet from a public right- of-way and is attached or connected to the primary structure, except that such a fence may be located closer than one hundred (100) feet from a public right-of-way in the Hil...
Fence Permit Requirements
Newport News requires a permit to build a fence and sets the fee at a flat $40.00 under the city's building permit fee schedule.
Newport News Fence Permit Fee
Some RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 13-26(a)(n)
(n)Fence permits. The fee for fence permits shall be forty dollars ($40.00).(o)Shed inspections. The fee for inspection of the construction of sheds not exceeding two hundred (200) square feet in foot print area shall be thirty-five dollars ($35.00). Table 13-26. Square Foot Construction Costs Type of Construction Use Group 1A 1B 2A 2B 2C* 4 3A 3B 5A 5B A-1 Assembly, theaters (with stage...
Retaining Walls
Newport News zoning exempts necessary retaining walls from yard setback requirements, so a retaining wall can sit anywhere on the lot without a setback variance -- unlike fences, which must still meet other city ordinances.
Newport News Retaining Wall Setback Exemption
Few RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 45-2807(a)
Yard requirements shall not apply to any necessary retaining wall, nor shall they apply to fences or other walls which are erected in conformity with other applicable municipal ordinances.(b)Corner lots. On a corner lot, no planting, wall, fence, sign, display, or other obstruction to motorists' vision shall be planted, erected or maintained at any height between three (3) feet and ten (10) fee...
Material Restrictions
Newport News bans barbed wire on residential dwelling fences and prohibits electrified fencing citywide except for permitted livestock or wild-animal enclosures with safeguards.
Newport News Barbed Wire Fence Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 13-143
(a)Fences may be constructed of any material permitted by the building code; provided, that barbed wire shall not be permitted in any fence located on the same premises as any dwelling located in any residential zoning district.(b)Barbed or razor wire strands may be used to enclose permitted storage areas, other similar commercial uses or swimming pools where the strands are restricted to the u...