Fence Regulations in Raleigh, NC (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Raleigh, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Raleigh caps fence and wall height by where it sits on the lot. UDO Sec. 7.2.8 allows up to 6.5 feet in a front or side street setback if the portion above 4 feet is no more than 50% opaque, up to 8 feet in a side or rear setback away from a street, and just 42 inches, or a screened setback, within 20 feet of a Thoroughfare right-of-way.
Raleigh Fence Height Limits by Setback
Some RestrictionsRaleigh Unified Development Ordinance § 7.2.8
Except in an IH district, a wall or fence not more than 6 and one half feet in height may be located in a front or side street setback, provided the opacity of the wall or fence above 4 feet in height does not exceed 50%. A wall or fence may not exceed 8 feet in height in a side or rear setback unless it is located adjacent to a street, in which case it may be no more than 6 and one half feet i...
Fence Permit Requirements
Raleigh does not make homeowners pull a permit for an ordinary wood, vinyl, or chain-link fence: those are governed by the Unified Development Ordinance's height and setback rules instead. But any electrically-charged fence, barrier, partition, or obstruction that a person or animal could contact is unlawful citywide unless it is erected under a City fence permit, carries Underwriters Laboratory (or equivalent state-approved) certification, and its current stays at or below one ampere.
Raleigh Electric Fence Permit Required
Some RestrictionsRaleigh City Code § 13-2030
Sec. 13-2030. - ELECTRIC FENCES. The placement or maintenance of electrically-charged fences, barriers, partitions, or obstructions that persons or animals might come in contact with is unlawful unless the fence is erected pursuant to a fence permit, is approved by the Underwriters Laboratory or any other testing laboratory approved by the State of North Carolina, and carries a current which do...
Retaining Walls
Raleigh caps street-facing retaining walls at 10 feet unless they step back. UDO Sec. 7.2.8 limits a freestanding retaining wall within 30 feet of a public right-of-way to a continuous, uninterrupted 10-foot height above grade or curb; taller walls need a 2-foot step back for every additional 10 feet, and any wall reaching 10 feet triggers a required Type C2 Street Protective Yard.
Raleigh Retaining Wall Height Limit Near Streets
Some RestrictionsRaleigh Unified Development Ordinance § 7.2.8
Retaining Walls Retaining walls that are generally parallel to, facing towards, and located within 30 feet of any public right of way shall be required to adhere to the following. A freestanding retaining wall may not exceed a continuous, uninterrupted height of 10 feet above grade or adjacent curb level (or if no curb exists, from the center crown of the street), whichever is higher. Average g...
Material Restrictions
Raleigh bans barbed wire outright on any lot with a dwelling, and separately makes charged fences unlawful unless tightly regulated. City Code Sec. 13-3011(c) prohibits barbed wire on any lot containing one or more dwellings, congregate care, or congregate living structures, while Sec. 13-2030 bars electric fences unless permitted, UL-listed, and carrying no more than one ampere.
Raleigh Bans Barbed Wire on Residential Lots
Heavy RestrictionsRaleigh City Code §§ 13-3011(c), 13-2030
(a)The use of barbed wire in the City of Raleigh is prohibited below a point five (5) feet above ground level. Barbed wire is any wire or strand of wire armed with barbs or sharp points. ... (c)The use of barbed wire on any lot containing one (1) or more dwellings, congregate care, or congregate living structures is prohibited in the City of Raleigh and shall not be installed after application ...
Looking for Wake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Raleigh city rules.
Fence Regulations in Wake County →