7 rules for unincorporated Henrico County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Henrico's Chapter 24 Zoning Ordinance (Sec. 24-5404, Table 5404) limits fences in a single-family front yard or street-side yard within 10 feet of the right-of-way to 3 feet 6 inches. Side and rear yard fences may reach 7 feet, or 10 feet with an approved landscaping plan.
Henrico County Code Sec. 24-5404 (Table 5404)
fences and walls must not exceed the maximum height listed in Table 5404 below. ... Single-family dwellings, duplex dwellings, manufactured home dwellings — Front yard: 3'6"; Interior side yard or rear yard: 7'0" (maximum alternative fence height: 10'0").
Henrico County does not require a standalone fence permit for a typical residential fence, but Chapter 24 standards are reviewed with any building permit, plan of development, or subdivision. Certain fences (agricultural, temporary construction, erosion-control, tree protection) are exempt from the fence standards entirely.
Henrico County Code Sec. 24-5402
the standards of this division apply to any construction, reconstruction, or replacement of fences or walls ... Review for compliance with the standards of this division will occur during review of an application for a provisional use permit, conditional use permit, building permit, certificate of occupancy, plan of development, site plan, or subdivision.
In Henrico County a fence or wall is permitted on the property line between two privately owned parcels (Sec. 24-5403.A). Where a fence has visible support framing on one side only, the finished side must face outward toward the neighbor or street (Sec. 24-5406.A).
Henrico County Code Sec. 24-5406.A
Wherever a fence or wall is visible from off-site locations, if one side of the fence or wall has visible support framing and the other does not ... then the side of the fence without support framing or with a textured surface must face the exterior of the lot.
Retaining walls in Henrico County are governed by Sec. 24-5407 of Chapter 24. A wall more than six feet higher than a property line within 20 feet, or more than ten feet higher within 50 feet, must be supplemented with landscaping. Tall walls should be terraced in six-foot sections.
Henrico County Code Sec. 24-5407.B
If the elevation at the top of a retaining wall, including a terraced retaining wall, is more than six feet higher than a property line within 20 feet, or more than ten feet higher than a property line within 50 feet, the base of the retaining wall must be supplemented with landscaping.
Beyond height, Henrico's Chapter 24 requires fences to preserve sight lines, not block drainage, and stay clear of utility easements and fire hydrants. Fences must not obstruct vision between 30 inches and eight feet above grade within intersection sight-distance triangles (Sec. 24-5403).
Henrico County Code Sec. 24-5403
Fences and walls must not obstruct vision at any height between 30 inches and eight feet above grade in the sight distance triangles ... E. A fence or wall must not block or divert natural drainage flow onto or off of any land. F. Fences and walls must not prevent immediate view of, or access to, fire hydrants.
Henrico County Chapter 24 (Sec. 24-5405.B) prohibits barbed or razor wire (except with a security plan, agricultural use, or utility high-voltage sites), plus chicken wire, corrugated metal, plywood, sheet metal, rolled plastic, garage-door panels, and electrified above-ground fences.
Henrico County Code Sec. 24-5405.B
The following materials are specifically prohibited ... Barbed or razor wire, unless: (a) Approved as part of a security exemption plan ... Chicken wire, corrugated metal, fabric materials ..., slats inserted into chain-link fences, fiberboard, garage door panels, plywood, rolled plastic, sheet metal, debris, junk, or waste materials.
Henrico County Chapter 24 (Sec. 24-5405.A) requires fences and walls to be built of durable all-weather materials such as masonry, stone, wrought iron, welded steel, electroplated aluminum, pressure-treated or rot-resistant lumber, wood- or masonry-look composites, or vinyl. Chain-link near residences must be vinyl-clad and screened with landscaping.
Henrico County Code Sec. 24-5405.A
Fences and walls must be constructed of durable all-weather materials, such as masonry, stone, wrought iron, welded steel, electroplated aluminum, pressure-treated or rot-resistant lumber, composite materials designed to appear as wood or masonry, vinyl, or similar customary fencing materials.
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