7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Forsyth County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Under the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County UDO, a residential fence six feet or under needs no building permit; anything over six feet triggers a permit and engineer-stamped plans. No zoning setback applies to the fence itself.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections — Permit Requirements for Fences
Permits are required for fences that are over six (6) feet in height; if your fence is six (6) feet in height or under, a building permit is not required.
A building permit is only required for fences over six feet tall in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County. Those need engineer-sealed plans. Fences six feet or under need no permit, though you may buy one; cost is $0.15/sq ft with a $100 minimum.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections — Permit Requirements for Fences
The permit cost is based on the square footage of the proposed fence at a rate of $.15/square foot with a $100.00 minimum. If you are a state licensed contractor the Homeowner's Recovery Fee of $10.00 will be added.
The county sets no fence setback, so you may place a fence anywhere on your own property except in easements and rights-of-way. Inspections advises staying at least six inches off the line to avoid neighbor disputes over the exact boundary.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections — Permit Requirements for Fences
No-fences do not have a setback requirement. You can place a fence anywhere on your property, with the exception of any easements and/or rights of way. You are advised to stay at least six (6) inches off of your property line to avoid any civil disputes with your neighbor(s).
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County UDO does not set a special retaining-wall height table for the unincorporated county; walls are regulated under the adopted North Carolina Building Code, which requires a permit for walls retaining a surcharge or over four feet measured from the bottom of the footing.
Fences in unincorporated Forsyth County must stay on your own property, out of easements and rights-of-way, and clear of corner-lot sight triangles. Fences over six feet need a permit and engineered plans; six feet or under need none.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections — Permit Requirements for Fences
No-fences do not have a setback requirement. You can place a fence anywhere on your property, with the exception of any easements and/or rights of way.
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County code does not restrict materials for standard single-family residential fences in the unincorporated county. Wood, vinyl, chain-link, and similar materials are allowed; over-six-foot fences need engineered footing plans.
No county rule dictates residential fence materials in unincorporated Forsyth County. Standard wood, vinyl, aluminum, and chain-link fences are fine; the practical constraints are the six-foot permit threshold, easements, and corner-lot sight triangles.
1 cities in Forsyth County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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