6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Johnson County, Iowa.
Verified from official government sources
In Johnson County, city zoning sets residential fence height. Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty generally allow about six feet along side and rear lines and a lower fence in front. Unincorporated county land follows its own rules.
Standard residential fences usually need no building permit in Johnson County's cities, but zoning height and placement rules always apply. Confirm setbacks and utility easements, and call Iowa One Call before digging.
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.
Iowa 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.
Johnson County's cities follow the Iowa-adopted State Building Code for retaining walls. Walls over four feet, or any wall carrying a surcharge like a driveway or slope, generally need a permit and engineered plans.
Residential pools in Johnson County must be enclosed by a barrier under the Iowa-adopted building code, generally at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates, verified through the city pool permit and inspection.
Johnson County cities allow wood, vinyl, chain-link, and ornamental metal fences, often limiting chain-link or barbed wire in front yards or residential zones. Barbed and electric fencing is ordinary on unincorporated farmland.
1 cities in Johnson County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Johnson County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Johnson County Ordinance Hub →