Fence Regulations in Tempe, AZ (2026)
3 verified fence regulations for Tempe, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Tempe limits a front-yard fence or wall to 4 feet, rear and side yard walls to 10 feet, 8 feet for single-family homes, and requires a building permit for any fence or wall taller than 7 feet, under Section 4-706(A) of the Zoning and Development Code. A use permit can raise the front-yard cap to 6 feet, plus 2 more feet for architectural features like pergolas.
Tempe Fence and Wall Height Limits
Some RestrictionsTempe Zoning and Development Code § 4-706(A)
A. General Fence and Wall Height Standards. 1. The maximum height of any freestanding wall or fence shall be measured from the highest adjacent finished surface of the ground, paving, or sidewalk within twenty (20) feet, unless otherwise noted; 2. Walls or fences in a required front yard building setback, including walls for single-family dwellings, shall be four (4) feet maximum in height. An ...
Fence Permit Requirements
Tempe caps front-yard walls and fences at 4 feet (6 feet with a use permit) and rear/side yard walls at 10 feet, 8 feet for single-family lots. Any fence or wall over 7 feet triggers a mandatory building permit under the Zoning and Development Code.
Tempe Fence and Wall Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsTempe Zoning and Development Code § 4-706(A)
A.General Fence and Wall Height Standards.2.Walls or fences in a required front yard building setback, including walls for single-family dwellings, shall be four (4) feet maximum in height. An increase in the maximum four (4) foot height may be permitted subject to a use permit. With a use permit, the maximum height may be up to six (6) feet, except that an additional two (2) feet of height may...
Retaining Walls
Tempe exempts a retaining wall from a building permit only if it is 4 feet or less, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, under City Code Sec. 8-105.2(g); taller walls, or any wall holding back Class I-IIIA liquids, need a permit.
Tempe Retaining Wall Permit Threshold
Some RestrictionsTempe City Code Sec. 8-105.2(g)
g. Retaining walls which are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, provided the wall is not supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tempe city rules.
Fence Regulations in Maricopa County →