Height Limits: North Port vs Sarasota
How do height limits rules compare between North Port, FL and Sarasota, FL?
North Port and Sarasota have similar restriction levels.
North Port, FL
Sarasota County
Ordinance 2019-15 amended Sec. 53-240(M) of the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) to allow side- and rear-yard residential fences up to 8 feet high. Front-yard fences are capped at 4 feet if 50% or less opaque, 3 feet if more than 50% opaque - unless set back at least 15 feet from the property line, in which case 8 feet is permitted regardless of opacity.
View full North Port rules →Sarasota, FL
Sarasota County
Sarasota Zoning Code Sec. VII-1101 (Article VII Division 11 - Fences, Walls and Hedges) allows fences and walls up to 6.5 feet in height in front, rear, and side setbacks in all zone districts, with limited exceptions. Open mesh or chain-link fences may reach 10 feet in G, IGD, IHD, CI, I, and ILW industrial/commercial zone districts.
View full Sarasota rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | North Port | Sarasota |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | ULDC Sec. 53-240(M)(3) (Ord. 2019-15) | Zoning Sec. VII-1101 |
| Front Yard ≤50% opaque | 4 ft max | - |
| Front Yard >50% opaque | 3 ft max | - |
| Side/Rear Non-Street | 8 ft max | - |
| Front Yard Exception | 8 ft if 15 ft setback | - |
| Sport Courts | Up to 20 ft | - |
| General Max | - | 6.5 ft (all setbacks) |
| Ornament Add-On | - | 18 inches |
| DTN Front Yard | - | 4 ft max |
| Industrial Chain-Link | - | 10 ft |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
North Port FAQ
How tall can my backyard fence be in North Port?
8 feet on side and rear yards not abutting a street, per Sec. 53-240(M)(3)(b) as amended by Ord. 2019-15.
Can I have a 6 ft solid fence in my front yard?
Only if set back 15 ft from the property line (then 8 ft is allowed regardless of opacity). Otherwise, opaque front-yard fences cap at 3 ft.
Sarasota FAQ
How tall can my fence be in Sarasota?
6.5 feet in front, rear, and side setbacks in all zone districts under Sec. VII-1101. Ornamental decorations can add 18 inches. Downtown Neighborhood front-yard fences cap at 4 feet.
Can I install a 10-foot fence around my industrial property?
Yes - Sec. VII-1101 allows open mesh or chain-link fences up to 10 feet in G, IGD, IHD, CI, I, and ILW industrial/commercial zone districts.
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