Fence Regulations in Springfield, MO (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Springfield, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Springfield lets side and rear yard privacy fences run up to 7 feet solid, but front-yard fencing must stay at least 50% open: a solid privacy fence isn't allowed between your house and the street.
Springfield Privacy Fence Rules
Some RestrictionsSpringfield Land Development Code § 36-453(5)(b)3, (6)(a)2.b
Fences not exceeding seven feet in height and which comply with the provisions of subsection (6).(6)Vision obstruction restrictions.(a)Front yards.1.No obstructions in front yards. On any lot on which a front yard is required by this article, no wall, fence or other structure shall be erected and no hedge, tree, shrub, or other growth or object of any kind shall be maintained in such location w...
Fence Permit Requirements
Any fence built in Springfield, Missouri counts as a regulated structure requiring a building permit from Building Development Services; front-yard fences get that permit free of charge.
Springfield Fence Permit Overview
Some RestrictionsSpringfield Land Development Code §§ 36-128, 36-453(6)(a)2.d
Any person who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure...shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required appropriate permit. ... A building permit, at no charge, shall be required to construct a fence in any required front yard.
Retaining Walls
Springfield's Land Development Code lets homeowners build retaining walls up to four feet tall without a permit; taller walls, or any wall holding back a surcharge or hazardous liquids, require one.
Springfield MO Retaining Wall Permit Threshold
Some RestrictionsSpringfield Land Development Code § 36-128(3)a.3
Retaining walls that are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids.
Material Restrictions
Springfield's general zoning code doesn't dictate what material a residential fence must be: it caps height and openness instead: four feet and 50 percent open in front yards, seven feet elsewhere, with a free permit required up front.
Springfield MO Fence Height & Materials
Light RestrictionsSpringfield Land Development Code § 36-453(5)(b)3, (6)(a)
3.Fences not exceeding seven feet in height and which comply with the provisions of subsection (6)....a.Open fences not exceeding 50 percent screening and four feet in height above yard grade shall not be deemed to obstruct the view....d.A building permit, at no charge, shall be required to construct a fence in any required front yard.
Looking for Greene County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Springfield city rules.
Fence Regulations in Greene County →