Fence Regulations in Sampson County, NC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Sampson County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Sampson County doesn't cap ordinary yard fence height countywide, but County Code § 2-27-15 bans any fence, planting or structure between 2 and 10 feet high inside the corner-lot sight triangle, and § 2-27-17.B requires screening fences between commercial and residential uses to stand 6 to 8 feet tall. Section 2-28-12 requires a privacy fence around any electric fence within 3 feet of the property line, except on bona fide farms.
Sampson County Fence Height & Corner Rules
Some RestrictionsSampson County Code §§ 2-27-15, 2-27-17, 2-28-12
There shall be no planting, structure, fence, or other obstruction to visibility on any corner lot between two (2) feet or ten (10) feet above the level of the center line of the street in a triangular area bounded by the street right-of-way line on such corner lots and a base line joining points along right-of-way lines twenty-five (25) feet from the intersection right-of-way corner, or within...
Fence Permit Requirements
Unincorporated Sampson County does not require a Zoning Permit to install a fence. Code Sec. 2-18-02.B, governing Zoning Permits generally, specifically exempts fences, along with roof-mounted solar panels, driveways and sidewalks, from the Zoning Permit requirement that otherwise applies before erecting or altering a structure.
Fence Permit Exemption in Sampson County
Few RestrictionsSampson County Code § 2-18-02.B
B. ZONING PERMITS Zoning Permits will be issued as part of the building permit process or as a stand-alone permit when no building permit is required. No land shall be used or occupied and no building hereafter erected, structurally altered, moved, or its use changed until a Zoning Permit has been issued by the Zoning Officer, except in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance or except...
Retaining Walls
A retaining wall, sidewalk, or driveway that places fill inside a regulated floodway or non-encroachment area in unincorporated Sampson County must clear a no-rise engineering test in Sec. 2-3-05.F before the Floodplain Administrator will permit it. Sec. 2-3-05.B(10)(b) triggers that review any time the wall's fill placement falls inside a mapped floodway.
Sampson County Floodway Retaining Wall Limits
Significant RestrictionsSampson County Code §§ 2-3-05.B(10)(b), 2-3-05.F(1)
(b) Retaining walls, sidewalks and driveways in regulated floodways and NEAs. Retaining walls and sidewalks and driveways that involve the placement of fill in regulated floodways shall meet the limitations of subsection 2-3-05.F of this ordinance. ... No encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements ... and other developments shall be permitted unless: (a) It is dem...
Material Restrictions
Sampson County allows electric fences on residential property, but Sec. 2-28-12 requires a privacy fence around any electric fence built within 3 feet of the property line. Bona fide farms are exempt, and ordinary fences need no zoning permit at all under Sec. 2-18-02(B).
Sampson County Electric Fence Setback Rule
Some RestrictionsSampson County Code Sec. 2-28-12
2-28-12. Fences Electric fences on residential properties must be protected by a privacy fence if within 3 feet of the property line. Bona fide farms are exempt from this requirement.
All Sampson County ordinances
See every category we cover for Sampson County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Sampson County Ordinance Hub →