Fence Regulations in Winnebago County, WI (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Winnebago County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In Winnebago County towns that adopted Chapter 23 zoning, a fence over 30 inches built after April 29, 2012 is capped at 4 feet in the street yard and 6 feet in side and rear yards for residential districts.
Winnebago County Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsWinnebago County Code Ch. 23 § 23.8-456(c)(2)
(2) Height. The top of a fence shall not exceed the height listed in Exhibit 8-9, provided a fence used to enclose horses shall not exceed a height of 5 feet.
Fence Permit Requirements
A zoning permit is required to build or rebuild a fence over 30 inches tall in residential, business, mixed-use, and industrial zoning districts, with a narrow exemption for two short residential fence sections.
Winnebago County Fence Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsWinnebago County Code Ch. 23 Sec. 23.8-456(a),(m)
(a) Applicability. The requirements of this section apply to a fence more than 30 inches in height constructed or rebuilt after April 29, 2012, and which are located in a planned development district or on a parcel, wholly or partially, located in one of the following base zoning districts... (m) Zoning permit exemption. Two sections of fencing no longer than eight feet per section...shall be a...
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are exempt from Winnebago County's yard setbacks under Chapter 23, but that exemption doesn't reach the shoreland setback: a wall within 75 feet of the water still has to meet the line or get a variance.
Winnebago County Retaining Wall Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsWinnebago County Code Ch. 23 § 23.8-65(b)(2)
(b) Exceptions. The following may be located in a front yard, side yard, and rear yard setback area, provided they do not extend into or are not located within a utility easement or a required fire lane and they meet all other requirements of this chapter: (1) landscaping; (2) retaining walls; (3) fences; (4) freestanding mailbox...
Material Restrictions
Winnebago County's Chapter 23 zoning code bans barbed wire and electric fencing on residential parcels except for containing livestock, and requires other fence materials be common construction materials, not prohibited types.
Winnebago County Fence Material Rules
Significant RestrictionsWinnebago County Code Ch. 23 § 23.8-456(j)-(k)
(j) Barbed wire fencing. Barbed wire fencing is prohibited except as follows: (1) Three or fewer courses of barbed wire may be installed above the top line of a 6-foot high chain link fence when located in an industrial zoning district. (2) Barbed wire may be used to contain livestock as may be allowed in the zoning district. (...
Fence Regulations by City in Winnebago County
2 cities in Winnebago County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Winnebago County ordinances
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