Fence Regulations in Johnson County, IA (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Johnson County, Iowa.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Unincorporated Johnson County caps boundary fences at six feet and interior fences at eight feet, measured on average across the fence run, with no portion allowed to rise more than half a foot above that average even where the ground slopes.
Johnson County Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsJohnson County UDO § 8:1.25(E)(1), Fence Height Regulations
E. Fence Regulations. The following regulations apply to the installation of fencing in all zoning districts. 1. Height Regulations. The following regulations apply to all fences. In all cases, due to grade changes and slopes, no portion of a fence may extend more than one-half (½) foot above the maximum average height. Boundary Fences. Cannot exceed six (6) feet in height on average in any yar...
Fence Permit Requirements
Johnson County's building code exempts fences seven feet tall or shorter from needing a building permit at all, so most residential fences, capped at six or eight feet under the zoning code, never trigger permitting, while a taller fence still requires one.
Johnson County Fence Permit Requirements
Light RestrictionsJohnson County Building Code § 105.2/R105.2(2) (UDO Ch. 8:6.6(B))
105.2/R105.2 Work Exempt from a Permit. A permit shall not be required for the following: Building: ... 2. Fences not over seven (7) feet high. ... Exemption from the permit requirements of this Code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in a manner in violation of the provisions of this Code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Iowa's distinctive partition-fence law, Iowa Code Chapter 359A, makes adjoining rural landowners share the cost of a division fence, with township trustees acting as fence viewers to settle disputes. It still matters across rural Johnson County.
Johnson County Partition Fence & Neighbor Rules
Some RestrictionsIowa Code § 359A.1A (2026)
The respective owners of adjoining tracts of land shall upon written request of either owner be compelled to erect and maintain partition fences, or contribute thereto, and keep the same in good repair throughout the year.
Retaining Walls
In unincorporated Johnson County, a retaining wall over 4 feet tall must sit back from the property line at least 1.5 times its own height, measured from footing to the top of the wall. Walls over 30 inches also need a guardrail in several situations.
Johnson County Retaining Wall Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsJohnson County UDO § 8:1.25(F)
F. Retaining Walls. The following standards shall apply to retaining walls. For permitting requirements, refer to Chapter 8:6 Building Code. 1. Setback Regulations. Retaining walls greater than four (4) feet in height must be setback a minimum of 1.5 times the height of the wall. Retaining wall height is determined by measuring from the top of the foundation to the tallest portion of the wall. ...
Fence Regulations by City in Johnson County
1 cities in Johnson County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Johnson County ordinances
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