Height Limits: Appleton vs Little Chute
How do height limits rules compare between Appleton, WI and Little Chute, WI?
Appleton and Little Chute have similar restriction levels.
Appleton, WI
Outagamie County
Appleton Municipal Code Sec. 23-44 (Title 23, Zoning) caps boundary fences at 6 feet in residential districts and 12 feet in commercial/industrial districts. No boundary fence, wall, hedge, or row planting may exceed 3 feet between the front yard setback line and the abutting lot lines. Sound barrier fences along arterial/collector streets are limited to 8 feet (double-frontage lots) or 6 feet (corner lots), and freeway sound barrier fences/walls are capped at 20 feet. A fence permit ($50) is required from the Department of Public Works.
View full Appleton rules →Little Chute, WI
Outagamie County
Little Chute Code of Ordinances Sec. 44-394 (Chapter 44, Zoning) regulates fences in the Village. Within the required 25-foot front yard setback, no fence may exceed 42 inches in height; on corner lots this restriction applies to both yards adjacent to the streets. Behind the front yard setback, fences may not exceed 6 feet in total measured height. A 4-foot (48-inch) fence is permitted in the front setback if it has a 50% see-through design. Fences must sit along (but not straddle) the lot line, and electrified, barbed wire, and razor wire fences are prohibited in residential areas. Permits are issued by the Village Community Development Department.
View full Little Chute rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Appleton | Little Chute |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Boundary | 6 ft maximum | - |
| Commercial/Industrial Boundary | 12 ft maximum | - |
| Front Yard Setback Area | 3 ft maximum (incl. hedges) | - |
| Sound Barrier Arterial/Collector | 8 ft double-frontage; 6 ft corner | - |
| Sound Barrier Freeway | 20 ft maximum | - |
| Vision Corner | 3 ft within 25-ft triangle | - |
| Alley Setback | 5 ft from right-of-way | - |
| Permit Fee | $50 (Department of Public Works) | - |
| Local Code | Sec. 23-44, Title 23 Zoning | Sec. 44-394, Chapter 44 Zoning |
| State Authority | Wis. Stat. §62.23, Chapter 90 | Wis. Stat. §61.35, Chapter 90 |
| Front Yard Setback (25 ft) | - | 42 inches maximum |
| Front Setback (See-Through) | - | 48 inches at 50% open design |
| Behind Front Setback | - | 6 feet maximum |
| Corner Lot Rule | - | 42-inch limit both street-facing yards |
| Lot Line Placement | - | Along but not straddling |
| Finished Side | - | Faces adjoining property |
| Prohibited Materials | - | Electrified, barbed wire, razor wire (residential) |
| Permit | - | Required from Community Development |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Appleton FAQ
How tall can my backyard fence be in Appleton?
Up to 6 feet in residential districts as a boundary fence, measured at grade. Posts and post caps may project up to 4 additional inches. The fence must sit at least 5 feet from any improved public alley right-of-way, and the finished side must face your neighbor's property.
Can I put a 6-foot fence along my front yard?
No. Between the front yard setback line and the abutting lot lines, fences, walls, hedges, and row plantings may not exceed 3 feet. Fences in the front yard must also be made of wood, brick, vinyl, wrought iron, or stone — galvanized chain link is prohibited in front yards.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Appleton?
Yes. Fence permits are issued by the Department of Public Works at City Hall (100 N. Appleton Street, 5th floor). The permit fee is $50, and you must bring a drawing of your lot showing where the fence will be located. Properties zoned PD (Planned Development) require Planning Department review and approval before a permit can issue.
Little Chute FAQ
How tall can my backyard fence be in Little Chute?
Up to 6 feet measured height behind the required 25-foot front yard setback line in residential districts. The fence must sit along the lot line without straddling it, and the finished side must face your neighbor's property. Electrified, barbed, and razor wire are prohibited.
Can I put a 6-foot fence along my front yard?
No. Within the required 25-foot front yard setback, fences are limited to 42 inches (3.5 feet). A taller 48-inch fence is allowed only if it has a 50% see-through (open) design. On corner lots, this 42-inch limit applies to both yards adjacent to a street.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Little Chute?
Yes. Fence permits are issued by the Village Community Development Department at 108 W. Main Street. You must submit a fence permit application with a site plan showing the fence location, height, and materials before installation. Contact the department at (920) 423-3870.
Compare other topics
See how Appleton and Little Chute compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool