Fence Regulations in Somerville, MA (2026)
5 verified fence regulations for Somerville, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Somerville zoning limits fences to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards, with corner-lot sight-triangle rules and special permit options for taller fences.
Somerville Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 49, § 21 (Fence Height)
height and is maliciously erected or maintained for the purpose of annoying the owners or occupants of adjoining property shall be deemed a private nuisance. Any such owner or occupant injured in the comfort or enjoyment of his estate thereby may have an action of tort for damages under chapter two hundred and forty-three. Site Information & Links Helpful Massachusetts Links Mass.gov link to an...
Fence Permit Requirements
Somerville does not require a Building Permit to put up a fence anywhere in the city; the owner installs it at their own risk under the Zoning Ordinance. A fence built directly on a shared side or rear lot line still needs the abutting owner's consent.
Somerville Fence Permit Requirements
Light RestrictionsSomerville Zoning Ordinance § 10.5.1(a), (e)
10.5.1 Fences a. General i. Fences may be placed up to and along any lot line. ii. Fences installed directly onto a shared side or rear lot line require consent of the abutting property owner. iii. Fences do not require a Building Permit and are erected at the property owners risk. iv. Fence posts or supporting rails must face inward toward the property being fenced and the finished face must b...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 49 governs partition fences between neighbors, and Somerville follows the state rule that the finished side faces the neighbor's property.
Somerville Fence Neighbor Rules
Some RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 49, § 21 (Fences - Neighbor Rules)
maliciously erected or maintained for the purpose of annoying the owners or occupants of adjoining property shall be deemed a private nuisance. Any such owner or occupant injured in the comfort or enjoyment of his estate thereby may have an action of tort for damages under chapter two hundred and forty-three. Site Information & Links Helpful Massachusetts Links Mass.gov link to an external site...
Retaining Walls
Somerville caps a retaining wall in the front yard at 4 feet, with successive walls needing at least 4 feet of horizontal separation, but allows unlimited height behind the frontage area. Any wall portion above the higher grade must also meet the city's fence standards.
Somerville Retaining Wall Rules
Some RestrictionsSomerville Zoning Ordinance § 10.5.2
10.5.2 Retaining Walls a. Any portion of a retaining wall that exists above the ground level of a higher grade must comply with the requirements for fences (see §10.5.1 Fences). b. When provided, retaining walls located in the frontage area may be up to four (4) feet in height and successive walls must be built with a minimum horizontal separation distance of four (4) feet. c. Retaining walls m...
Material Restrictions
Somerville restricts barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing in residential areas, with additional historic-district material and finish reviews for local historic district properties.
Somerville Fence Material Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 49, sec. 21 (Fences deemed a private nuisance; spite fence)
Section 21. A fence or other structure in the nature of a fence which unnecessarily exceeds six feet in height and is maliciously erected or maintained for the purpose of annoying the owners or occupants of adjoining property shall be deemed a private nuisance. Any such owner or occupant injured in the comfort or enjoyment of his estate thereby may have an action of tort for damages under chapt...