Fence Regulations in Suffolk, VA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Suffolk, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Suffolk allows fences up to 6 feet in required side and rear yards. In a yard adjacent to a street, a solid fence tops out at 2.5 feet, or 4 feet if at least 50% open. UDO Sec. 31-701(b)(10).
Suffolk Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSuffolk, VA, Unified Development Ordinance Sec. 31-701(b)(10)(A)
A fence or wall not more than six (6) feet in height may be located in any required side yard or rear yard other than a required yard adjacent to a street. A fence or wall not more than six (6) feet in height may be located in any planting screen/no access easement adjacent to a street serving a double frontage and/or reverse frontage lot. Except as allowed above, no fence or wall which creates...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Suffolk's code requires the finished side of any fence to face outward toward neighbors and the street. Virginia has no shared-fence-cost law, so each Suffolk owner pays for and maintains their own fence.
Suffolk Fence Neighbor & Boundary Rules
Some RestrictionsSuffolk, VA, Unified Development Ordinance Sec. 31-701(b)(10)(C)
The "finished" side of any fence shall face outward towards surrounding properties and rights-of-way. D. No barbed wire or electrified or similar type fences shall be permitted except in conjunction with a bona fide agricultural operation. (11) Roadside sales of produce provided that operations shall be limited to no more than one hundred eighty (180) days per year and solely to the sale of...
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls in Suffolk are governed by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, and a permit is required once a wall exceeds four feet or supports a surcharge. When a fence sits on a retaining wall, Suffolk measures height under UDO Sec. 31-701(d).
Suffolk Retaining Wall Rules
Some RestrictionsSuffolk, VA, Unified Development Ordinance Sec. 31-701(d)
The height of fences shall be determined by measurement from the ground level at all points upon which the fence is located. An increase in height shall be allowed when spacing for drainage under the fence is needed. (2) The height and location requirements of this Section may be modified as part of a subdivision, planned development, or conditional use approval. For fences on retaining walls...
Material Restrictions
Suffolk permits common fence materials but bans barbed wire and electrified fences in residential areas unless tied to a bona fide agricultural operation. The finished side must face outward. UDO Sec. 31-701(b)(10).
Suffolk Fence Material Rules
Some RestrictionsSuffolk, VA, Unified Development Ordinance Sec. 31-701(b)(10)(D)
No barbed wire or electrified or similar type fences shall be permitted except in conjunction with a bona fide agricultural operation. (11) Roadside sales of produce provided that operations shall be limited to no more than one hundred eighty (180) days per year and solely to the sale of produce grown or raised on the premises and shall provide off-street parking for not less than three (3) v...