Fence Regulations in Monroe County, FL (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Monroe County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), Land Development Code § 114-13(a) caps fences and walls at six feet, measured from the highest adjacent finished grade, but cuts that to three feet inside a clear sight triangle on any lot fronting U.S. 1, an arterial road, or a nonresidential use, and to four feet within most front-yard setbacks unless the fence qualifies for a five-foot exception.
Fence Height Limits in Monroe County
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 114-13(a)
(a)Height. In general, all fences and walls shall be measured from the highest finished elevation adjacent to the fence and shall not exceed six feet in height.(1)For any parcel of land with access to U.S. 1, any property with access to an arterial road and/or any property developed with a nonresidential use, a fence shall not exceed three (3) feet in height within a clear sight triangle as def...
Fence Permit Requirements
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), Land Development Code § 114-13(h) requires a building permit from the county building department before any fence or wall goes up, in order to protect public health, safety and welfare under Section 114-13. On Big Pine Key and No Name Key, the permit must also meet the requirements of the county's Habitat Conservation Plan and Incidental Take Permit (HCP/ITP).
Fence Permit Requirements in Monroe County
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 114-13(h)
It is the purpose of this section to regulate fences and walls in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare. ... (h)Required permit. All fences shall be constructed pursuant to a building permit issued by the county building department and, if applicable, according to the requirements of the HCP/ITP.
Retaining Walls
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), Land Development Code § 114-13(d) caps retaining walls at four feet, measured from the lowest existing adjacent grade, and applies the same setback and height rules that govern fences. Where more than one wall is needed to hold a grade change, each wall must be separated from the next by at least two feet, up to five feet.
Retaining Wall Rules in Monroe County
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 114-13(d)
(d)Retaining Walls. For the purposes of this section, retaining wall is defined as "A wall or similar structural device used at a grade change to hold the soil on the up-hill side from slumping, sliding, or falling."a.Retaining walls are subject to the setback and height requirements of fences, except that no retaining wall shall exceed four feet (4') in height as measured from the lowest exist...
Material Restrictions
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), Land Development Code § 114-13(f) lets fences be built of brick, lumber, stone, metal, plaster, concrete or masonry, but bans barbed wire and razor wire county-wide. The only exception is the Industrial (I) and Airport (AD) zoning districts, where barbed and razor wire fencing remains allowed.
Fence Material Restrictions in Monroe County
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 114-13(f)
(f)Construction material. Fences may be constructed of natural or manmade materials, including, but not limited to, brick, lumber, stone, metal, plaster, concrete and masonry. Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited except in the Industrial (I) and Airport (AD) Land Use (Zoning) Districts.
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