Fence Regulations in Tonawanda, NY (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Tonawanda, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
The Town of Tonawanda caps residential fences at three feet in the front yard, four feet in a side yard and six feet in a rear yard, with taller limits for commercial and industrial property. A separate sight-obstruction rule keeps anything over three feet, including fences, out of the vision triangle near intersections and driveways.
Fence Height Limits in the Town of Tonawanda
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 215-25.1, 215-25.6.B, C
§ 215-25.1. Sight obstructions. ... the view shall not be obstructed by parked vehicles, fences, hedges, shrubbery, trees or any structure greater than three feet in height above the ground elevation of said driveway at the street line. This unobstructed vision clearance shall apply to the area bounded by the first 15 feet from the point of intersection of the boundary lines of public or privat...
Fence Permit Requirements
The Town of Tonawanda does not require Code Enforcement Officer approval for a fence built on a lot line, but any fence not on a lot line needs an application to, and approval from, the Code Enforcement Officer first. Snow fences get a narrower exception: no permit, but only between November 1 and April 1.
Fence Permit Requirements in Tonawanda
Light RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 215-12.2, 215-25.6.D, G
§ 215-12.2. Penalties for offenses. ... A. Any violation by a person, firm, or corporation of any provision of this chapter shall be deemed a violation punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both. ... § 215-25.6. Fences. ... ... D. Non-lot line fences. Fences other than lot-line fences may be erected if approved by the Code Enforcement ...
Retaining Walls
Building a retaining wall in the Town of Tonawanda needs no building permit under § 54-5.B(4), unless the wall supports a surcharge load or impounds Class I, II or IIIA liquids, in which case full permit review applies. Violating the chapter's terms brings an escalating penalty under § 54-23, from a written warning up to a $250 fine for repeat offenses within 12 months.
Tonawanda Retaining Wall Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 54-5, 54-23
(4) Construction of retaining walls unless such walls support a surcharge or impound Class I, II or IIIA liquids; ... ... A. Except as otherwise provided for by this chapter or state law, any violation by a person, firm or corporation of any provision of this chapter, as amended from time to time, shall be deemed a violation punishable by the following: (1) First violation, a written warning; (...
Material Restrictions
The Town of Tonawanda bans fences made of unfinished metal, concrete block, plastic, fiberglass or plywood anywhere in town. Decorative concrete fencing is the one exception, and it is allowed only in nonresidential districts, not on residential lots.
Prohibited Fence Materials in Tonawanda
Light RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 215-12.2, 215-25.6.A, F
§ 215-12.2. Penalties for offenses. ... A. Any violation by a person, firm, or corporation of any provision of this chapter shall be deemed a violation punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both. ... § 215-25.6. Fences. ... A. General requirements. ... (5) A fence, wall or other similar structure shutting out, unduly or unnecessarily, ...
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tonawanda city rules.
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