Fence Regulations in Santa Fe, NM (2026)
3 verified fence regulations for Santa Fe, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Residential fences in Santa Fe top out at six feet, rising to eight feet along a shared line with nonresidential property or inside a residential compound. Nonresidential properties get a flat eight-foot limit citywide, and gates can rise above either cap.
Santa Fe Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSanta Fe City Code § 14-8.5(B)(2) (Walls and Fences)
(2)Maximum Height of Fences(a)On a property developed for residential use or on undeveloped property zoned for residential use, no fence shall exceed six (6) feet in height except that:(i)along the common property line with a property developed for or zoned for nonresidential use, the maximum height of fences is eight (8) feet; and(ii)within a residential compound, the maximum height of fences ...
Retaining Walls
Santa Fe caps every retaining wall in the city at six feet, measured from the finished grade at the base to the finished grade at the top. Taller grade changes must be stepped or terraced, with each tier set back a distance equal to the height of the wall above it.
Santa Fe Retaining Wall Height Limit
Some RestrictionsSanta Fe City Code § 14-8.5(A)(1), (B)(1) (Walls and Fences)
(1)The retaining wall height standards in this Section 14.8.5 apply to the portion of a wall, fence or similar structure that supports a higher finished grade on one side than on the other. The height of the retaining wall is measured from the finished grade at the base of the wall to the finished grade at the top of the wall...(B)Maximum Height of Retaining Walls and Fences (1)Maximum Height o...
Material Restrictions
Santa Fe's general street regulations make it unlawful to erect a barbed-wire fence around any lot fronting a street without the public works department's permission, and ban any fence with projecting prongs, barbs or tines that endanger people or animals. Public works approves barbed wire only as part of security fencing, and only when it is mounted at least six feet above the ground.
Santa Fe Restricts Barbed-Wire and Dangerous Fences
Significant RestrictionsSanta Fe City Code § 23-1.5
It is unlawful, except by permission of the public works department, to erect within the city any barbed-wire fence enclosing any lot or parcel of land fronting on any street within the city, or any fence that may be dangerous to life and limb, whether to animals or persons, by reason of projecting prongs, barbs or tines. The public works department shall only approve barbed-wire for use in con...