Fence Regulations in Wauwatosa, WI (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Wauwatosa caps fence height by yard location: rear and side yards not facing a street allow up to six feet without a permit, side yards not abutting a street cap at four and a half feet, and front-yard fences top out at three feet. Corner lots must also keep obstructions under three and a half feet in the intersection visibility area.
Wauwatosa Fence Height Limits By Yard
Some RestrictionsWauwatosa Municipal Code Sections 15.28.020, 15.28.030, 15.28.060, 24.14.020
Fences located in the buildable area of the rear or side yard, six feet or less in height. ... Fences located ... in the side yard not abutting a street, four and one-half feet or less in height. ... Fences located in the front yard setback, but in no event shall a permit be issued for any such fence which is more than three feet in height, more than twenty percent of the lot width in length, s...
Fence Permit Requirements
Wauwatosa requires a fence permit whenever a fence exceeds the exempt heights set in Section 15.28.020, including most front-yard fences and any fence over four and a half feet along an alley, nonresidential lot or multifamily property. Applicants file with the buildings and safety division, submit plans, and pay the city's fee schedule.
Wauwatosa Fence Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsWauwatosa Municipal Code Sections 15.28.020, 15.28.030, 15.28.050
Permits shall not be required for the following: ... Permits shall be required for the following: In residential districts: ... Fences ... at lot lines abutting alleys, nonresidential properties, multifamily properties (three family or more) or any approved parking areas or lots if more than four and one-half feet in height, so long as fences located adjacent to any alley shall be set back a mi...
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls that abut public property in Wauwatosa must stay structurally sound and can't dump mud, gravel or debris onto sidewalks, streets or alleys, per Municipal Code Section 15.32.030. A wall built on city land, in a right-of-way or an easement needs a Board of Public Works encroachment permit and fee under Section 12.42.020, unless the board waives it for extraordinary circumstances.
Wauwatosa Retaining Wall Maintenance Rules
Some RestrictionsWauwatosa Municipal Code § 15.32.030
Retaining Walls. Retaining walls abutting public property when present, shall be structurally sound, and not be constructed or maintained in such a manner as to cause repeated flow of mud, gravel or debris upon any public sidewalk, street or alley.
Material Restrictions
Wauwatosa's fence code bans barbed wire, razor wire, electrically charged fencing and agricultural wire (except around plants and gardens) in every zoning district, along with wood or plastic snow fence, old doors, sheet metal, plywood and broken concrete. Chain-link fences are barred from front yards citywide, and the chief inspector must approve all fence materials.
Wauwatosa Bans Barbed Wire And Razor Wire Fences
Some RestrictionsWauwatosa Municipal Code Section 15.28.010
All fences shall be constructed with materials of a type approved by the chief inspector. Barbed wire, razor wire, agricultural wire (except around plants and gardens), electrically charged fences, snow fence (wood or plastic), old doors, sheet metal, plywood, broken concrete, or similar materials are prohibited in any district. Chain-link style fences are prohibited in front yards. Snow style ...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Wauwatosa city rules.
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