Fence Regulations in Guilford County, NC (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Guilford County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Guilford County caps residential fences at four feet from the property line up to the front setback line and eight feet behind it, with a narrower four-foot limit near street rights-of-way in group housing developments and a seven-foot allowance on qualifying through lots, under UDO Section 6.4.E.
Guilford County Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsGuilford County UDO Sec. 6.4.E
E. HEIGHT 1. Residential Uses: a. Before Front Setback: No fence shall exceed four (4) feet in height up to the front setback line. b. Behind Front Setback: No fence shall exceed eight (8) feet in height behind the front setback line. c. Exceptions: (1) No fence shall exceed four (4) feet in height within fifteen (15) feet of any public or private street right-of-way line in a group housing dev...
Fence Permit Requirements
Guilford County's UDO regulates fence type, height and placement but does not itself require a zoning permit for an ordinary residential fence. Temporary construction fencing is expressly allowed, and taller or industrial fences must meet added standards.
Do You Need a Fence Permit in Guilford County?
Some RestrictionsGuilford County UDO 6.4.B
This Section regulates all fences unless otherwise provided in this Ordinance. Fences are permitted in required setbacks according to ARTICLE 4 - Zoning, provided the requirements of this Section are met.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Guilford County's UDO does not set a spite-fence or shared-cost rule; those are civil matters. The county does bar fences that obstruct street-intersection sight lines or block access to a neighbor's doors, windows or drainage.
Fence and Boundary Rules Between Neighbors
Some RestrictionsGuilford County UDO 6.4.C.1
No fence shall be placed or retained in such a manner as to obstruct vision at any intersection of public or private streets.
Retaining Walls
Guilford County's UDO treats a retaining wall or berm under a fence as part of the fence's overall height. Fences may not impede the natural flow of water in any stream, creek, drainage swale or ditch.
Retaining Wall Rules in Guilford County
Some RestrictionsGuilford County UDO 6.4.E.4.a
Fence height shall be measured in the same manner as buildings. However, where fences are located on retaining walls or man-made berms, the height of the retaining wall or berm shall be considered as part of the overall height of the fence.
Material Restrictions
Guilford County bans barbed or razor wire, electrified fencing, concertina wire and flammable materials like paper, cloth or canvas for fences, but carves out exceptions for livestock enclosures in agricultural districts, low-voltage electrified fencing in industrial districts, and barbed-topped security fencing at public institutions, under UDO Section 6.4.B.2.
Guilford County Prohibited Fence Materials
Significant RestrictionsGuilford County UDO Sec. 6.4.B.2
2. Prohibited Fence Types The following fence types are prohibited: a. Fences constructed primarily of barbed or razor wire, except for the purpose of enclosing livestock in agricultural zoning districts, and fences topped with barbed wire or metal spikes in residential zoning districts, except those serving a public institution requiring a security fence for public safety purposes; b. Fences c...
Fence Regulations by City in Guilford County
2 cities in Guilford County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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