Fence Regulations in Porter County, IN (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Porter County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Porter County's residential fence rule, UDO Section 5.16 (FW-02), caps front-yard fences and walls at 3 feet and side- or rear-yard fences at 6 feet. Fences also cannot rise above 2.5 feet within the 50-foot vision clearance triangle required at every street, alley, and driveway intersection under Section 5.76.
Porter County Residential Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsPorter County UDO §5.16 FW-02(C); §5.76 VC-01(A)-(C)
C. Maximum Height: 1. Front Yard: Fences and walls located in the front yard of a lot shall not exceed three (3) feet in height. 2. Side or Rear Yard: Fences and walls located in the side or rear yard of a lot shall not exceed six (6) feet in height. ... [§5.76 VC-01] A. Vision Clearance Triangle: A vision clearance triangle shall be maintained at every intersection of two (2) or more streets, ...
Fence Permit Requirements
Porter County requires an approved Improvement Location Permit (Fence) before erecting a residential fence or wall, under UDO Section 5.16(G). Landscape or retaining walls under 5 feet that sit more than 5 feet from the property line, and dog-kennel enclosures of 300 square feet or less, are the only listed exceptions.
Porter County Fence Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsPorter County UDO §5.16 FW-02(G): Fence and Wall; Residential
G. Fence Permit: 1. Requirement: The owner shall have an approved Improvement Location Permit (Fence) prior to erecting a fence or wall. 2. Exceptions: a. Landscape or retaining walls under five (5) feet in height, unless the wall is within five (5) feet of a property line; and b. Fenced areas for dog kennels that are no larger than three hundred (300) square feet.
Retaining Walls
Porter County requires an Improvement Location Permit before building any residential fence or wall, but a landscape or retaining wall stays exempt if it is under five feet tall and kept at least five feet from the property line. Cross either threshold and UDO § 5.16 FW-02(G) requires the same permit as a full fence.
Porter County Retaining Wall Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsPorter County UDO § 5.16 FW-02(G)
G. Fence Permit: 1. Requirement: The owner shall have an approved Improvement Location Permit (Fence) prior to erecting a fence or wall. 2. Exceptions: a. Landscape or retaining walls under five (5) feet in height, unless the wall is within five (5) feet of a property line; and b. Fenced areas for dog kennels that are no larger than three hundred (300) square feet.
Material Restrictions
Porter County's residential fence standard, UDO Section 5.16 (FW-02), bans barbed wire, razor wire, security wire, electrified wire, sharpened top spikes, and refuse or nuisance materials such as garage door panels or wood pallets. Barbed wire and electrified wire are allowed only on agricultural or livestock fencing.
Porter County Prohibited Residential Fence Materials
Some RestrictionsPorter County UDO §5.16 FW-02(E): Fence and Wall; Residential
E. Prohibitions: Fences and walls may not incorporate: 1. Barbed wire; (except for agricultural and livestock purposes); 2. Razor wire; 3. Refuse or nuisance materials (e.g. garage door panels, wood pallets, etc.); 4. Security wire; 5. Sharpened top spikes or similar sharp materials; or 6. Electrified wire (except for agricultural and livestock purposes).
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