Fence Regulations in Maricopa County, AZ (2026)

4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Maricopa County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Height Limits

In unincorporated Maricopa County, front-yard fences cap at 8 feet with 80% see-through required above 3 feet 6 inches, side and rear fences also max out at 8 feet, and corner sight triangles limit obstructions to 2 feet high.

Maricopa County Fence Height Limits (Unincorporated)

Some Restrictions

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance § 811.5.4.1

Fences, walls, or retaining walls, or any combination thereof located within the required front yard shall be a maximum height of eight feet as measured from finished grade, except that any height above 3'-6" up to a maximum height of eight (8) feet shall be permitted at an 80% transparency calculated by taking the area of the empty space between internal members divided by the outer dimensions...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Fence Permit Requirements

In unincorporated Maricopa County, a building permit is required for fences or walls over six feet tall, retaining walls over 18 inches, pool barriers, hillside-lot fences, corrals in residential zones, and corner-lot walls abutting a key lot.

Maricopa County Fence Permits (Unincorporated)

Some Restrictions

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance § 811.5.2

9. A building permit is required for walls/fences over 6' in height, retaining walls over 18" in height, pool barriers, walls/fences on hillside lots, corrals in residential zoning districts, fences to establish a primary use or a wall on a corner lot abutting a key lot.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Retaining Walls

In unincorporated Maricopa County, retaining walls outside the main building envelope can't exceed 8 feet, and any retaining wall over 18 inches requires a county building permit before construction.

Maricopa County Retaining Wall Height & Permit Rules

Some Restrictions

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance § 811.5.3

Outside the principal building envelope, the retaining wall height shall not exceed 8'. Retaining walls shall not exceed a height of 8 feet as measured from the low side finished grade to the top of the earth being retained, except as permitted in Article 901.4 of this Ordinance. ... A building permit is required for walls/fences over 6' in height, retaining walls over 18" in height, pool barri...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Material Restrictions

Unincorporated Maricopa County bans concertina wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing below eight feet, and requires front-yard fences taller than 3.5 feet to be at least 80% transparent, built from chain link, metal or wood rail, or clear sheeting.