7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Washtenaw County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Washtenaw County does not zone fences; the city or township does. In Ann Arbor (county seat), residential fences may not exceed 4 ft in the front yard, 6 ft in a side yard, and 8 ft in the rear yard.
Ann Arbor UDC Sec. 5.26 (Ch. 55)
Fences located in Residential Zoning Districts: 1. Shall not exceed four feet in height and 50% opacity in the front yard. 2. Shall not exceed six feet in height and 80% opacity in the side yard. 3. Shall not exceed eight feet in height in the rear yard.
A zoning permit is required to build a fence in Ann Arbor. Washtenaw County does not issue fence permits; apply through your city or township. Ann Arbor's permit is handled by Planning & Development Services.
Ann Arbor UDC Sec. 5.29.1(C)
A zoning permit is required for the construction of fences consistent with Section 5.26 and for the placement of locations for dumpsters used for commercial recyclables and related screening consistent with Section 5.20.6 and Chapter 26, Section 2:5(4).
For a fence on a shared property line, Ann Arbor measures its maximum height from the highest grade within two feet of the lot line. The county sets no boundary-fence rule—your city or township does.
Ann Arbor UDC Sec. 5.26(D)
In determining the maximum height of a fence that separates two adjoining lots and runs within two feet of the lot line, the maximum height at any point shall be determined from the highest grade within two feet on either side of the lot line.
Ann Arbor's UDC lets retaining walls sit anywhere on a lot, including within required setback areas. The county does not zone them; a building permit may still apply to taller walls under the Michigan Residential Code.
Ann Arbor UDC Sec. 5.18.2(B)
The following types of structures may be located anywhere on a lot, including in any required setback area: Open and unroofed terraces, patios, stoops and steps, ramps for building access; Awnings; Flagpoles; Trellises; Retaining walls; Fountains; Outdoor cooking equipment.
All permanent fences in Ann Arbor must meet UDC Section 5.26. Near a corner (within 25 feet of two street lot lines) a fence may not exceed 30 inches above sidewalk grade to preserve driver sight lines.
Ann Arbor UDC Sec. 5.26(C)
All fences located within 25 feet of the intersection of two or more Street lot lines where the minimum front required setback of the zoning district in which the lot is located is greater than none shall not be higher than 30 inches above the Sidewalk grade.
Ann Arbor bans electrified and barbed or spiked fences in nonresidential districts, and residential fences face front and side opacity limits. Washtenaw County does not set material rules; your city or township does.
Ann Arbor UDC Sec. 5.26(B)
[Nonresidential fences] Shall not be charged or connected to an electrical current. Shall not contain spikes, nails, barbs (including barb wire), or other pointed instruments, or any cleaved selvages or any sharp points on wire fences that have not been removed or bent to eliminate any sharp extrusions.
Ann Arbor regulates residential fence materials through opacity: front-yard fences may be at most 50% opaque and side-yard fences at most 80% opaque, so open designs are required near the street. The county sets no material rule.
Ann Arbor UDC Sec. 5.26(A)
Shall not exceed four feet in height and 50% opacity in the front yard. Shall not exceed six feet in height and 80% opacity in the side yard. Shall not exceed eight feet in height in the rear yard.
1 cities in Washtenaw County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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