Arlington's Unified Development Code limits residential fences to 4 feet in front yards and 8 feet in side and rear yards. Fences cannot obstruct corner visibility triangles, drainage easements, or sightlines at driveways. Commercial and industrial properties have separate standards and often require screening fences along residential boundaries.
Under Arlington UDC §6.2, residential fence heights are measured from the lowest adjacent grade to the top of the fence. Front yard fences (between the primary building setback line and the front property line) cannot exceed 4 feet in height and must be at least 50% open if over 3 feet (wrought iron, split rail, picket). Solid privacy fences are prohibited in front yards. Side and rear yard fences may be up to 8 feet tall. On corner lots, fences exceeding 2.5 feet are prohibited within the 25-foot visibility triangle at intersections and 15 feet from driveways entering public streets. Fences must be set back from sidewalks per the UDC and cannot encroach on public right-of-way. Commercial properties adjacent to residential zones must install an 8-foot solid screening fence or masonry wall along the shared boundary. Electrified fences are prohibited in residential zones. Fences within floodplains or drainage easements require city approval and must allow stormwater flow. Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in residential and most commercial districts (permitted only in industrial zones above 6 feet).
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Arlington code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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