Fence Regulations in Plymouth County, MA (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Plymouth County has no fence-height ordinance; Massachusetts counties cannot zone. Height limits sit in each town's zoning bylaw, and MGL c.49 §21 makes any fence over six feet built maliciously to annoy a neighbor a private nuisance.
Plymouth County Fence Height Limits
Few RestrictionsMGL c.49 §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 chapter two hundr...
Fence Permit Requirements
No Plymouth County permit exists for a fence; counties issue no building permits. Under the state building code, 780 CMR, fences up to seven feet are exempt from a building permit, though towns still apply zoning setbacks.
Plymouth County Fence Permit Requirements
Few Restrictions780 CMR 51.00 R105.2
Fences not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Massachusetts imposes no general duty to split a boundary fence's cost; each owner fences their own land. The one statewide neighbor rule is MGL c.49 §21: a malicious fence over six feet is a private nuisance the neighbor can sue over.
Plymouth County Neighbor Fence Rules
Few RestrictionsMGL c.49 §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 chapter two hundr...
Retaining Walls
No county permits retaining walls. Under the state building code, 780 CMR, a retaining wall up to four feet high, measured from the footing, needs no building permit unless it supports a surcharge. Taller or loaded walls require a town permit.
Plymouth County Retaining Wall Regulations
Few Restrictions780 CMR 51.00 R105.2
Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
Fence Regulations by City in Plymouth County
1 cities in Plymouth County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Plymouth County ordinances
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