7 rules for unincorporated Davis County, Utah.
Verified from official government sources
In Layton, Davis County's largest city, front-yard fences max out at 3 feet if solid or 4 feet if 75% open; corner side yards allow 6 feet; interior side and rear yards up to 8 feet. Other cities and the unincorporated county set comparable limits.
Layton City Municipal Code Ch. 19.16 (Fences)
Front yard fencing or walls shall not exceed 3' in height if view-obstructing (solid), and 4' for non-view obstructing (75% open) fencing. Corner side yard fencing or wall shall not exceed 6' in height. Internal side yard and rear yard fencing shall not exceed 8' in height.
In Layton, a building permit is required for any fence or wall over 7 feet tall. Most standard residential fences under 7 feet need no building permit but still must meet yard height limits and clear-view rules. Unincorporated county fences go through the county Planning Division.
Layton City Municipal Code Ch. 19.16 (Fences)
A building permit is required for a wall and/or fence, or portion thereof, over 7' in height.
Neither Davis County nor Layton requires neighbors to split boundary-fence costs; in Utah a division fence between homes is a private matter. Cities do require fences to sit on your own property and to preserve corner clear-view sight triangles for traffic safety.
Under Utah's adopted building code, a permit and engineered design are required for retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top) or any wall supporting a surcharge. Shorter walls usually need no permit but must manage drainage and respect setbacks.
Layton measures fence height from finished grade to the highest point and requires every fence to comply with clear-view sight-triangle rules (Code 19.16.110 and 19.12.160) so fences near corners and driveways don't block driver visibility.
Layton City Municipal Code Sec. 19.16.110, 19.12.160
Fencing height is measured from the finished grade to the highest point of the fence. All fencing must comply with the Clear View Requirements outlined in 19.16.110 and 19.12.160 of the Layton City Municipal Code.
In residential zones, barbed wire, razor and concertina wire, and electrified fencing are generally prohibited except for agricultural uses. Scrap and salvage materials (pallets, tarps, plywood, scrap metal) are not accepted as fencing. Confirm the exact list with Layton or your city.
Cities in Davis County favor durable, low-maintenance fence materials, including masonry, decorative block, quality vinyl, wood, composite, and metal, plus chain link in side and rear yards. Front-yard and corner clear-view areas require open, view-permeable fencing.
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