Permit Requirements: Apex vs Cary
How do permit requirements rules compare between Apex, NC and Cary, NC?
Cary has fewer restrictions than Apex.
Apex, NC
Wake County
Apex regulates fence design, height, materials, and location under Section 8.2.7 of the Unified Development Ordinance, reviewed by the Planning Department. Building permits are administered by the Apex Building Inspections Division at (919) 249-3418, 322 N Mason St, which enforces the North Carolina State Building Code. Wake County handles separate building and electrical permits for pools, hot tubs, and spas holding more than 24 inches of water. Fences must comply with Sec. 8.2.7 height, material, finish, and right-of-way standards.
View full Apex rules →Cary, NC
Wake County
Most residential fences in Cary do not require a building permit. Permits are required only for fences on collector streets or thoroughfares, or fences that exceed standard height limits.
View full Cary rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Apex | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| UDO Authority | Sec. 8.2.7 Fences, Walls, and Berms | - |
| Zoning Review | Apex Planning Department | - |
| Building Inspections | (919) 249-3418 - 322 N Mason St, Apex NC 27502 | - |
| State Building Code | NC State Building Code (enforced under NCGS Ch. 160D) | - |
| Finished-Side Rule | Fences must be finished on side facing right-of-way or adjacent property (Sec. 8.2.7.A.2) | - |
| Riparian Buffers | Private fences prohibited (Sec. 8.2.7.E.1, Sec. 6.1.11) | - |
| State Preemption | NC Session Law 2023-108 (HB 488) reorganized Building/Residential Code Councils | - |
| Pool Permits | Issued separately by Wake County Permit Portal | - |
| Standard Fences | - | No permit needed |
| Collector/Thoroughfare | - | Permit required |
| Retaining Walls | - | Permit if over 4 feet |
| HOA Review | - | May be required separately |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Apex FAQ
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Apex?
All fences must comply with Apex UDO Sec. 8.2.7 and are reviewed by the Apex Planning Department. Permit and inspection requirements are administered by the Apex Building Inspections Division at (919) 249-3418, 322 N Mason St, Apex NC 27502, which enforces the North Carolina State Building Code.
Which side of the fence must face my neighbor?
Apex UDO Sec. 8.2.7.A.2 requires that 'all fencing shall be finished on the side facing a public right-of-way or adjacent properties, except within the Downtown Festival District where the side facing an alley may be unfinished.'
Can I install a fence inside a landscape buffer?
Only if it is planned as an integral part of the buffer. UDO Sec. 8.2.7.E.1 states that private fences are not permitted in buffers 'except where designed and approved as part of the overall buffer,' and fences are not allowed in Riparian Buffers per Sec. 6.1.11.
Cary FAQ
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Cary, NC?
Most residential fences don't require a permit. Permits are needed only for fences on collector streets, thoroughfares, or those exceeding standard height limits.
Does my HOA need to approve my fence in Cary?
Many Cary HOAs require architectural review before fence construction. Check your community's covenants even if no town permit is needed.
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