Fence Regulations in Sioux Falls, SD (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Sioux Falls, South Dakota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Front-yard fences in Sioux Falls are capped at four feet, side and rear yard fences at six feet, and corner lots must keep the intersection vision clearance area clear under the city's Shape Places zoning ordinance.
Sioux Falls Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSioux Falls Code of Ordinances § 160.480
(c) Front yard. Fences not more than four feet in height may be located on any part of the lot except that a fence may not be more than 30% solid where it is located within 30 feet of a street intersection, measuring along the property lines... (d) Side and rear yards. Fences not more than six feet in height may be erected within any side or rear yard.
Fence Permit Requirements
Sioux Falls requires a zoning fence permit before building any fence, with front-yard fences capped at four feet and side or rear fences at six feet.
Sioux Falls Fence Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsSioux Falls Code of Ordinances § 160.480(b)-(d)
(b) Permit required. Fence permits shall be required to construct fences. (c) Front yard. Fences not more than four feet in height may be located on any part of the lot except that a fence may not be more than 30% solid where it is located within 30 feet of a street intersection... (d) Side and rear yards. Fences not more than six feet in height may be erected within any side or rear yard.
Retaining Walls
Sioux Falls exempts retaining walls from a building permit only when they stay at or under 4 feet, measured from the bottom grade to the top of the wall: taller walls, or shorter ones holding back a surcharge, need a permit.
Sioux Falls Retaining Wall Height and Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsSioux Falls Code of Ordinances § 150.002 (2021 IRC § R105.2)
R105.2 Work exempt from permit... Permits shall not be required for the following: Building: ... 3. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the grade elevation to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
Material Restrictions
Sioux Falls prohibits barbed wire fences in residential districts outright, and separately bans electric fencing citywide unless the electrical board of appeals approves it.
Sioux Falls Bans Barbed Wire Fences
Significant RestrictionsSioux Falls Code of Ordinances § 96.007
(a) No barbed wire fence shall be erected or maintained in a residential district as defined by the zoning regulations. (b) No fence shall be erected or maintained in a residential district in a manner as to unreasonably obstruct the view of others or their access to light or air.
Looking for Minnehaha County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sioux Falls city rules.
Fence Regulations in Minnehaha County →