Fence Regulations in Washington County, MD (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Washington County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Washington County's Zoning Ordinance sets no fixed maximum height for residential fences and walls. Section 23.3(c) exempts fences and walls from the building setback lines and yard requirements that apply to structures, provided they do not become a vision obstruction that endangers vehicular or pedestrian traffic, the county's substitute for a numeric corner-visibility rule.
Washington County, Maryland Fence Height Standard
Light RestrictionsWashington County, MD Zoning Ordinance § 23.3(c)
(c) Fences and walls shall be exempt from building lines and yard requirements unless obstructions to vision which adversely affect the safety of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
Retaining Walls
Washington County requires any retaining wall built in connection with land disturbance to appear on the grading plan filed with a grading permit application. Walls taller than three feet must be engineered to the applicable building code or AASHTO standard before the county will approve the plan.
Retaining Wall Rules in Washington County, MD
Some RestrictionsWashington County, MD Stormwater Management, Grading, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance § 4.4.14
4.4.14. Retaining Walls. Use of retaining walls in connection with land disturbance shall be shown on the grading plan at the time of grading permit application. All proposed retaining walls over three feet high shall be designed according to the applicable Building Code and/or AASHTO standard.
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