Height Limits: Fitchburg vs Madison
How do height limits rules compare between Fitchburg, WI and Madison, WI?
Fitchburg and Madison have similar restriction levels.
Fitchburg, WI
Dane County
Fitchburg Code of Ordinances Ch. 22 (Zoning), Sec. 22-56(10), caps perimeter fences (those located within five feet of a lot line) at 6 feet in height and prohibits them from extending forward of the front face of the house. Fences in front yards must be decorative only, with at least 50 percent of their bulk consisting of air space, and may not exceed 4 feet in height. Chicken wire, woven wire, barbed wire, razor wire, electric wire, and similar hazardous materials are prohibited. Building or zoning permits are not required for fence construction in Fitchburg, but the regulations are still enforceable through the Planning and Zoning Department.
View full Fitchburg rules →Madison, WI
Dane County
Madison fence heights are set by MGO Chapter 28 (zoning). Typical limits: 4 feet in front yards, 6 feet in side and rear yards. Taller fences require a conditional use permit.
View full Madison rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fitchburg | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Perimeter Fence Height | 6 ft maximum (within 5 ft of lot line) | - |
| Front Yard Fence Height | 4 ft maximum | - |
| Front Yard Bulk | At least 50% air space | - |
| Forward of House | Perimeter fences not allowed forward of front face | - |
| Prohibited Materials | Barbed, razor, electric, chicken, woven wire | - |
| Finished Side | Must face outward; supports inside | - |
| Permit Required | No building or zoning permit required | - |
| Local Code | Sec. 22-56(10), Ch. 22 Zoning | - |
| State Authority | Wis. Stat. §62.23; Chapter 90 | - |
| Enforcement | Planning & Zoning Dept., (608) 270-4256 | - |
| Front Yard | - | 4 feet max |
| Side/Rear | - | 6 feet max |
| Commercial | - | Up to 8 ft typical |
| Code | - | MGO Chapter 28 |
| Historic Districts | - | Design review |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fitchburg FAQ
How tall can my backyard fence be in Fitchburg?
A perimeter fence located within 5 feet of a lot line can be up to 6 feet tall in the rear or side yard. The fence must be kept in good repair, with the decorative side facing your neighbor and supporting members on your side, and may not use chicken wire, barbed wire, razor wire, or electric wire.
Can I put a 6-foot fence in my front yard?
No. Under Sec. 22-56(10)(c), fences in front yards must be decorative only and may not exceed 4 feet in height, with at least 50 percent of their bulk consisting of air space. Solid 6-foot privacy fences are not permitted in front yards or forward of the front face of the house.
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Fitchburg?
No. Fitchburg does not require a building or zoning permit to construct or install a fence. However, the fence must still comply with the height, setback, material, and finish requirements in Sec. 22-56(10), and shared boundary fences are also subject to Wisconsin's partition-fence law in Chapter 90 of the state statutes.
Madison FAQ
Can I put a 6-foot privacy fence in my front yard?
No. Front yard fences are capped at 4 feet in most residential districts under MGO Chapter 28.
How is fence height measured in Madison?
From existing grade at the fence line to the top of the fence panel.
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