6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
Verified from official government sources
Norfolk County has no county-level fence height limits. Fence height is regulated by each municipality through local zoning bylaws.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 49, § 21 (Fence Viewers — Authority to Determine Sufficiency of a Boundary Fence) (Massachusetts General Laws; applies to all cities/towns within the county)
Section 21. A fence or other structure in the nature of a fence which unnecessarily exceeds six feet in height and is maliciously erected or maintained for the purpose of annoying the owners or occupants of adjoining property shall be deemed a private nuisance. Any such owner or occupant injured in the comfort or enjoyment of his estate thereby may have an action of tort for damages under chapt...
Fence permits in Norfolk County are issued by individual municipalities — typically by the local building department. Norfolk County government does not issue fence permits.
Massachusetts state law (MGL c. 49 §§1–21) governs boundary fences between neighbors, including cost-sharing and the Fence Viewer process for disputes. Norfolk County courts handle fence viewer appeals.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 49, § 21 (Fence Viewers — Procedure for Resolving Boundary-Fence Disputes Between Adjoining Landowners) (Massachusetts General Laws; applies to all cities/towns within the county)
Section 21. A fence or other structure in the nature of a fence which unnecessarily exceeds six feet in height and is maliciously erected or maintained for the purpose of annoying the owners or occupants of adjoining property shall be deemed a private nuisance. Any such owner or occupant injured in the comfort or enjoyment of his estate thereby may have an action of tort for damages under chapt...
Norfolk County has no retaining wall rule. 780 CMR (MA Building Code) requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from bottom of footing) or with surcharge loads. Engineered plans required.
Norfolk County has no pool barrier rule — 780 CMR (MA Building Code) and 105 CMR 435 apply statewide. Minimum 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates. Enforced by each town's building department.
Norfolk County has no fence material ordinance. Towns regulate materials via zoning bylaws. Historic districts (Brookline, Dedham, Milton) require Historic District Commission approval.
MGL c. 49, Section 21 - Fences deemed a private nuisance; right of action (Spite Fence)
Section 21: Fences deemed a private nuisance; right of action. Section 21. A fence or other structure in the nature of a fence which unnecessarily exceeds six feet in height and is maliciously erected or maintained for the purpose of annoying the owners or occupants of adjoining property shall be deemed a private nuisance. Any such owner or occupant injured in the comfort or enjoyment of his es...
3 cities in Norfolk 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 Norfolk County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Norfolk County Ordinance Hub →