Fence Regulations in Saint Paul, MN (2026)
7 verified fence regulations for Saint Paul, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Saint Paul limits front-yard fences to 4 feet and side/rear-yard fences to 7 feet under Sec. 60.209. Corner lots have a 2-foot max in the sight-triangle area near intersections.
Saint Paul Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsPermit Requirements
All fences in Saint Paul require a plan review and permit from DSI. The base fee is $45 for the first 200 lineal feet. Inspections are required for fences over 7 feet, pool fences, and barbed wire.
Saint Paul Fence Permits
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul DSI - Fence Plan Review, Permit and Inspections (Permit Application Requirements)
Building a Fence in Saint Paul What is required? A completed Fence Plan Review/Permit Application Form A survey or Basic Site Plan showing the proposed location of your fence Fee ($45 for the first 200 lineal feet or fraction thereof and $15 for each additional 100 lineal feet or fraction thereof) A variance to height or corner condition may be requested. See information under "What are the hei...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Minnesota has no shared fence cost statute. Each property owner responsible for their own fence. MN Stat. §561.02 prohibits spite fences.
Saint Paul Neighbor Fence Rules
Some RestrictionsRetaining Walls
Retaining walls over 4 feet tall in Saint Paul require a building permit and engineered plans. Only segmental block, CMU, or poured concrete walls are generally approved by the city.
Saint Paul Retaining Wall Requirements
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul DSI Retaining Walls Guide (MN Rules 1300.0120(4); 2020 MN Building Code)
Per MN Rules 1300.0120(4): Building permits are required for retaining walls where at any point the wall is taller than 4 feet measured from the base of the footing to the top of the wall. Retaining walls that are 4 feet or shorter measured from the base of the footing to the top of the wall and are not supporting surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids do not require a building p...
Pool Barriers
Saint Paul requires all pools to be enclosed by an obscuring fence with self-closing, self-latching gates. Minimum height is 4 feet for 1-2 family homes and 5 feet for multi-family.
Saint Paul Pool Barrier Fence Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsFence Requirements
All fences in Saint Paul must be on the owner's property and kept in good repair. Sec. 60.209 sets zoning rules, historic district guidelines, and corner-lot visibility standards.
Saint Paul General Fence Requirements
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul DSI - Fence Plan Review, Permit and Inspections (Height Limitations)
Where can the fence be located? The City of Saint Paul encourages you to discuss your fence with your neighbors before installation to help avoid a costly property line dispute. Your fence and all supporting structures must be located entirely inside your property line. The fence cannot be on the property line, on a neighbor's property or on public property (boulevard, right of way, sidewalk ar...
Material Restrictions
Saint Paul allows most standard fencing materials but prohibits barbed wire in residential districts. Barbed wire elsewhere is limited to 3 strands atop fences at least 6 feet tall.