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Fence Regulations in Simpsonville, SC (2026)

7 verified fence regulations for Simpsonville, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Height Limits

Freestanding fences and walls may be up to seven feet high in the side and rear yard setback areas. In the front yard setback, fences must be ornamental (picket or wrought iron) and may not exceed four feet above grade.

Simpsonville Fence Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Simpsonville Zoning Ordinance § 3.3.6(A)-(B)

Freestanding fences or walls shall be allowed within the minimum side and rear yard setback area provided the fence does not exceed a height of seven feet above grade. Freestanding fences or walls shall be allowed within the minimum front yard setback area provided the fence is ornamental such as a picket fence or wrought iron fence and does not exceed a height of four feet above grade.

Permit Requirements

A residential fence up to seven feet generally does not need a building permit, but a fence over seven feet tall, or any masonry or concrete wall requiring structural footings, requires a building permit. Zoning placement rules apply regardless.

Do You Need a Fence Permit in Simpsonville?

Some Restrictions

Neighbor Fence Rules

Fences must sit entirely on the owner's property and cannot obstruct occupied utility easements. The city is not responsible for fences it must remove to access easements, and South Carolina has no statewide shared-fence cost-splitting mandate.

Fences and Property Lines in Simpsonville

Some Restrictions

Simpsonville Zoning Ordinance § 3.3.6(C)

Fences may be prohibited within occupied utility easements and the City shall not be responsible for damage to, or the repair or replacement of fences that must be removed to access such easements. In no instance shall this provision be construed to prevent fencing required around stormwater retention or detention facilities.

Retaining Walls

The Zoning Ordinance treats fences and walls as accessory structures under Section 3.3.6. A masonry or concrete wall that requires structural footings needs a building permit, and larger retaining walls are engineered under the adopted building code.

Retaining Walls in Simpsonville

Some Restrictions

Fence Requirements

Fences are an accessory structure allowed in every residential district. They may be up to seven feet in side and rear yards, four feet and ornamental in front yards, must stay off occupied easements, and cannot use barbed or razor wire in residential areas.

Simpsonville Fence Requirements

Some Restrictions

Material Restrictions

Barbed wire, razor wire, and similar materials are prohibited in all zoning districts, except where the Planning Director determines they are necessary for on-site security on appropriate nonresidential properties to maintain public safety.

Prohibited Fence Materials in Simpsonville

Some Restrictions

Simpsonville Zoning Ordinance § 3.3.6(D)

Barbed wire, razor wire, and similar material shall be prohibited in all zoning districts except where the Planning Director determines such is necessary for on-site security on appropriate nonresidential properties to maintain public safety.

Approved Materials

Simpsonville does not keep an approved-materials list for residential fencing, so wood, vinyl, chain-link, wrought iron, and masonry are generally allowed. Front-yard fences must be ornamental (picket or wrought iron), and barbed or razor wire is banned.

Allowed Fence Materials in Simpsonville

Some Restrictions

Looking for Greenville County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Simpsonville city rules.

Fence Regulations in Greenville County