7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Hamilton County, Ohio.
Verified from official government sources
Hamilton County itself sets no countywide residential fence-height limit. Your city, village, or township zoning code controls. Anderson Township, for example, caps rear-yard fences at 6 feet and front/side-yard fences at 4 feet (if 75%+ open).
Anderson Township Zoning Resolution, Art. 5.2
...construction of fences not exceeding six (6) feet in height in the rear yard, or fences more than seventy-five (75) percent open and not exceeding four (4) feet in height in front and side yards...
A new fence usually needs a zoning certificate from your township or municipality, not from Hamilton County. Colerain Township, for instance, issues a zoning certificate for fences and 1:1 replacements through its Planning & Zoning Department.
Ohio's partition (line) fence law, ORC Chapter 971, governs fences on the division line between adjoining rural properties where livestock is kept. For ordinary residential neighbor disputes, your local zoning code and civil property law apply.
ORC 971.02(A)
Except as otherwise provided in this section, all fields and enclosures in which livestock are kept or placed and that are bordered by a division line between the adjoining properties of different owners shall be enclosed by a preferred partition fence.
Hamilton County sets no countywide retaining-wall rule for incorporated land. Your city or township zoning code sets placement and height, and taller walls generally need a building permit for structural review.
Whether a fence needs to be open, how it must be placed, and any "good side out" rule are set by your city or township. Anderson Township, for example, requires front and side fences to be more than 75% open.
Anderson Township Zoning Resolution, Art. 5.2
...fences more than seventy-five (75) percent open and not exceeding four (4) feet in height in front and side yards...
Bans on barbed wire, electric, or other fence materials in residential areas come from your city or township, not from Hamilton County. There is no countywide material ban on incorporated land.
Which fence materials you may use, and any construction-quality standard, are defined by your local zoning code. Anderson Township, for example, specifies durable wood, brick, or stone for required screening fences and walls.
Anderson Township Zoning Resolution, Art. 5.3
Any wall shall be constructed in a durable fashion of brick, stone, or other masonry materials... Any fence shall be constructed in a durable fashion of wood posts and/or planks with minimum diameter or width of three inches (3").
1 cities in Hamilton County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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