Fence Regulations in Phoenix, AZ (2026)
6 verified fence regulations for Phoenix, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Phoenix limits fences and freestanding walls in a required front-yard setback to 40 inches, and allows up to 6 feet within or bounding a rear or side yard. Walls up to 8 feet are allowed along side and rear yards abutting an arterial street or as freeway noise-mitigation walls.
40 in. front yard; 6 ft side/rear; up to 8 ft
Some RestrictionsCity of Phoenix Planning & Development Department, 'Residential Fences,' Section 703.A (Zoning Division publication pz00278, rev. 9/16/13)
Fences in a required front-yard setback shall be limited to a height of forty (40) inches. The required front yard setback is measured from the property line, not from the paved part of the right-of-way. Fences located within or bounding a rear or side yard are permitted at a height not to exceed six (6) feet, except under certain circumstances discussed below. A fence, not to exceed fifty-four...
Permit Requirements
A Phoenix building permit is not required for fences 3 feet or less in height, or retaining walls 3 feet or less without a surcharge. Fences over 3 feet (up to 7 feet) require a building permit demonstrating zoning and site-drainage compliance, and retaining walls over 3 feet always require a permit.
No permit under 3 ft; permit required over 3 ft
Some RestrictionsCity of Phoenix Planning & Development Department, Technical Guideline 'Required Permits for Fences and Retaining Walls' (Phoenix Building Construction Code Administrative Provisions 105.2.2), TRT/DOC/00181, rev. 7/13
105.2.2 Building Permits. A building permit shall not be required for the following: Fences not over three (3) feet in height (as measured from final grade to uppermost part of fence), and retaining walls that are not over three (3) feet in height measured from the top of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids. Fences not inc...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Phoenix does not have a specific fence dispute resolution ordinance between neighbors. Arizona follows common law for shared fence costs and disputes. There is no statutory requirement to share fence costs with neighbors. Property owners building a fence must stay on their own property or obtain neighbor agreement. Spite fence claims are handled under common law nuisance principles.
Fences: Neighbor Rules
Few RestrictionsRetaining Walls
Phoenix requires a permit for any retaining wall over 3 feet (top of footing to top of wall), and for 3-foot-or-less walls burdened by a surcharge from a house, road, pool, or that support a fence. Structural design calculations are required for retaining walls over 3 feet, and combination wall-and-fence structures over 9 feet need zoning approval.
Retaining wall permit over 3 ft; calcs over 3 ft
Some RestrictionsCity of Phoenix Planning & Development Department, Technical Guideline 'Required Permits for Fences and Retaining Walls' (Phoenix Building Construction Code 105.2.2), TRT/DOC/00181, rev. 7/13
RETAINING WALL PERMITS REQUIRED: All retaining walls over three (3) feet in height measured from the top of the footing to the top of the wall. All retaining walls three (3) feet or less in height burdened by a surcharge from a house, building, road, swimming pool or supporting a fence on the wall or within three (3) feet measured horizontally from the uphill side of the wall. RETAINING WALL PE...
Pool Barriers
Phoenix and Arizona law (ARS §36-1681) require all swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs with water 24 inches or more deep to have both exterior and interior barriers. Exterior fences must be at least 5 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates. Interior barriers between the home and pool are required for properties with children under 6.
Phoenix Pool Barrier & Fencing Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsMaterial Restrictions
Under Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 507 Tab A, chain link with plastic or metal slats, sheeting, non-decorative corrugated metal, and fencing made or topped with razor, concertina, or barbed wire may not be used where visible from public streets or adjacent residential areas. Decorative wrought iron and barrier landscaping are encouraged alternatives.
No barbed/razor wire or slatted chain link near streets
Some RestrictionsCity of Phoenix Planning & Development Department, 'Residential Fences' (Zoning Ordinance Section 507 Tab A), publication pz00278, rev. 9/16/13
Per Zoning Ordinance Section 507 Tab A: Chain link fencing with plastic or metal slats, sheeting, non-decorative corrugated metal and fencing made or topped with razor, concertina, or barbed wire shall not be used where visible from public streets or adjacent residential areas. Alternatives exist, such as spiked or decorative wrought iron, high walls, and barrier type landscaping that can provi...
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Phoenix city rules.
Fence Regulations in Maricopa County →