7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Allen County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Allen County, fences in permitted areas may be up to 8 feet tall. Front-yard fencing is limited to a 3-foot ornamental fence. Height is measured from finished grade on the fence's highest side.
Allen County DPS Fence Standards (Allen County Code Title 3)
All fences, placed in permitted areas, may go up to eight (8) feet in height. This shall be measured as the vertical distance between finished grade on the highest side of the fence or to the top of the fence. This does not include fencing in the front yard and/or fencing that surpasses any build lines.
A fence permit (DPS Administrative FEN application) is required in unincorporated Allen County. The fee is $50 residential or $200 commercial, and you must submit a site plan showing the fence location and setbacks from property lines.
Allen County DPS Administrative FEN Fence Application
Application Fee: $50 for residential or $200 for commercial payable to Allen County Treasurer... Site Plan showing proposed location of structure(s) and setbacks from property lines... Construction must begin within 90 days of the issuance of this permit; and if construction is not timely commenced, then this Permit shall expire and shall be null and void.
Allen County sets fence placement by setback and corner-visibility rules rather than a shared-cost mandate. On a corner lot without a platted build line, a fence must meet a 5-foot side-yard setback, and no fence may block corner sight lines.
Allen County Zoning Ordinance, Title 3 (Corner Visibility Area)
No building, fence, hedge or other planting, retaining wall, sign, or structure that would impede vision between a height of three (3) and eight (8) feet shall be located within a corner visibility area.
In unincorporated Allen County, a retaining wall up to 3 feet in height above adjoining grade may sit in the required front yard with no minimum setback, subject to corner-visibility rules. Taller walls must meet standard setbacks.
Allen County Zoning Ordinance, Title 3 (Exceptions to Standards - Hedge or Retaining Wall)
A hedge or retaining wall not exceeding three (3) feet in height above the grade of the adjoining sidewalk or ground, may be located in the required front yard with no minimum setback, subject to the corner visibility provisions as defined herein.
Allen County requires a permit, a site plan, and compliance with height, setback, and corner-visibility standards. Residential fences may not be designed to injure people or animals, and pools must be fenced or covered for safety.
Allen County DPS Fence Standards (Allen County Code Title 3)
Fencing in Residential Districts: A fence may not be designed to cause pain or injury to humans or animals. This includes the use of spikes, broken glass, barbed wire, razor wire, nails, electric charge or similar materials.
Allen County prohibits corrugated or sheet metal, chicken wire, woven wire, welded wire mesh as a primary material, temporary construction fencing, and snow fencing for permanent fences in the unincorporated county.
Allen County DPS Fence Standards (Prohibited Materials)
The use of materials such as corrugated or sheet metal (including the use of metal slats over posts or other solid metal), chicken wire, woven wire, welded wire mesh as a primary material, temporary construction fencing, snow fencing, or other similar materials shall not be permitted for permanent fencing.
Allen County allows fences built of customarily used materials: chain link, split rail, split rail with welded wire mesh, masonry, wrought iron, wood, PVC, or similar. Open fences are under 50% opaque; solid fences use wood or vinyl panels.
Allen County Zoning Ordinance, Title 3 (Permitted Materials)
All fences shall be constructed of customarily used materials such as chain link, split rail, split rail with welded wire mesh, masonry, wrought iron, wood, polyvinylchloride (PVC), or similar fencing material.
1 cities in Allen County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Allen County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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