Fence Regulations in Schenectady, NY (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Schenectady, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Schenectady's Schedule D caps fences at four feet in front yards and along rear yards facing a street, six feet along side and rear yards elsewhere, with a percentage-opaque limit layered on top depending on location. A separate rule bars any fence, wall or planting over four feet within 20 feet of a corner intersection, protecting sightlines for drivers.
Schenectady Fence Height Limits by Location
Some RestrictionsSchenectady City Code § 264-32B, Schedule D and § 264-34A
Schedule D Fence, Wall and Landscaping Standards Fence Locations/Types Maximum Height (feet) Maximum Percentage Opaque or Solid Fence Fences erected or constructed in the side yard between residential buildings 6 70% if less than 5 feet from adjacent house; none if at least 5 feet Fences in front yards 4 70% except in the C-4 District, which is exempt ... All other rear yards 6 None ... On any ...
Fence Permit Requirements
Before erecting, building, or enlarging any fence in Schenectady, you must first obtain a separate building permit from the Building Inspector under City Code § 138-11.1. The fence must also comply with Chapter 264 zoning standards.
Schenectady Requires a Building Permit for Every Fence
Significant RestrictionsCity of Schenectady Code § 138-11.1 (Fence permits)
No person shall commence the erection, construction, or enlargement of a fence, as defined in § 264-2 of this Code, without first obtaining a separate building permit from the Building Inspector. All fences must conform to the regulations set forth in Chapter 264 of this Code. Fees for permits which are issued subject to this section shall be set from time to time by resolution.
Retaining Walls
Schenectady exempts most retaining walls from the building permit requirement, but the exemption drops away if the wall supports a surcharge or impounds Class I, II, or IIIA liquids, in which case a full building permit under Chapter 137 is required.
Schenectady Retaining Wall Permit Exemption
Light RestrictionsSchenectady City Code § 137-4A, B(5) (Ch. 137, Building Code Administration)
§ 137-4. Building permits. ... A. Building permits required. Except as otherwise provided in Subsection B of this section, a building permit shall be required for any work which must conform to the Uniform Code and/or the Energy Code, including, but not limited to, the construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation or demolition of any building or structure or any porti...
Material Restrictions
Schenectady's zoning code flatly prohibits barbed wire, chicken wire, pallets, plywood, sheet metal, and construction fencing from being used as any part of a fence anywhere in the city. Only conventional fencing materials pass Section 264-32(D).
Schenectady Prohibited Fence Materials: Barbed Wire, Chicken Wire Banned
Some RestrictionsCity of Schenectady Zoning Code § 264-32(D) (Fences and walls — Materials and Construction)
§ 264-32. Fences and walls. ... D. Materials and Construction. Barbed wire, chicken wire, pallets, plywood, sheet metal, and construction fencing shall not be used as a fencing material or as any part of a fence.