Fence Regulations in Wilmington, DE (2026)
5 verified fence regulations for Wilmington, Delaware, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Wilmington caps solid residential fences at six feet and open fences at eight feet, with barbed and razor wire banned in residential and commercial districts since 1988.
Wilmington Fence Height Limits: Six to Eight Feet
Some RestrictionsWilmington City Code § 48-475
A solid fence, which in the interpretation of this section shall be deemed to include any fence or wall which is more than 80 percent solid, may be erected in any residence, waterfront or commercial district; provided, that it shall be not more than six feet high unless a greater height is required under subsection (b) of this section, or unless a greater height is required in the waterfront di...
Fence Permit Requirements
Fences that cross Wilmington's building line onto a sidewalk or street need a Licenses and Inspections permit approved by Public Works, capped at a $35 application fee; on-property fence height and material are set separately by the zoning code.
Wilmington Fence Encroachment Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsWilmington City Code § 42-217(a)
Upon the approval of the department of public works, the department of licenses and inspections shall issue the license or permit, as the case may be, authorizing the erection, installation, and maintenance of a fence or other encroachment beyond the building line, provided that the particular encroachment is authorized pursuant to and in accordance with the applicable provisions of this articl...
Neighbor Fence Rules
City zoning code lets the building inspector order down any fence or wall built mainly to annoy or damage the property next door, regardless of the district or the fence's own height and setback compliance.
Wilmington Bans Spite Fences Against Neighbors
Significant RestrictionsWilmington City Code § 48-475(d)
Spite fences. No fence or other structure deemed by the building inspector to be designed primarily to cause annoyance or damage to adjoining property shall be permitted.
Retaining Walls
In Wilmington's zoning code, a retaining wall under one foot tall is exempt from the residential building setback line; anything taller has to sit behind that line like the house itself.
Wilmington Retaining Wall Setback Rule
Some RestrictionsWilmington City Code § 48-154(e)
Same—Certain steps, retaining walls, fences and railings. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any step or retaining wall which is less than one foot high above the ground or to any fence or railing which is less than one-fourth solid and less than four feet above the ground.(f)Corner lots. In the case of a corner lot, the building setback line along the side street shall be determ...
Material Restrictions
Wilmington's zoning code bans barbed wire, razor wire, and similar fencing material in every residential and commercial district, and caps solid fences at six feet and open fences at eight feet unless another section requires more.
Wilmington Bans Barbed and Razor Wire Fences
Significant RestrictionsWilmington City Code § 48-475(a)
From and after January 8, 1988, no fence of any kind which is composed in whole or in part of or to which there is or has been added, barbed wire, or razor wire, or any barbed wire type of fencing material shall be permitted in any residential district, any commercial district, any W-3, waterfront low-intensity manufacturing/commercial recreation district, or any W-4, waterfront residential/com...
Looking for New Castle County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Wilmington city rules.
Fence Regulations in New Castle County →