Charlotte fences under 6 feet generally do not require a zoning permit but must meet UDO placement rules. Front yard fences are limited to 4 feet in height, side and rear yard fences to 8 feet. Fences must be placed entirely on the owner's property with the finished side facing the neighbor. Corner lot visibility triangles must be kept clear.
Fence installation in Charlotte is governed by the UDO (Article 13 - Site Design) and the NC Building Code. Key rules:
Height limits (UDO §13.5.4): - Front yard fences: 4 feet maximum - Side yard fences: 8 feet maximum (6 feet by right, up to 8 with administrative review) - Rear yard fences: 8 feet maximum - On arterial streets, front fence height may be reduced in the build-to zone
Materials: Wood, metal (wrought iron, aluminum, chain link), vinyl, composite, masonry, and stone are allowed. Barbed wire and electrified fences are prohibited in residential districts. Razor wire is prohibited in all but industrial/heavy industrial districts with screening.
Placement: - Fences must be entirely within the owner's property (not on the property line unless both owners agree in writing) - The finished, decorative side must face the neighbor or public right-of-way - Corner lots must maintain a clear sight-distance triangle (25 ft x 25 ft at the intersection with nothing above 3 feet in height)
Permits: No zoning permit is required for fences 6 feet or less in height. Fences 6-8 feet in residential side/rear yards require administrative permit approval to verify setbacks and sight triangles. Fences in historic districts (Fourth Ward, Dilworth, Plaza Midwood, Wesley Heights) require Historic District Commission (HDC) certificate of appropriateness.
Pool barriers: All swimming pools must be enclosed by a 4-foot minimum fence meeting NC Residential Code §R326 (see pool barriers topic).
HOA review: Most Charlotte HOAs require architectural committee pre-approval for fence type, style, and color. Approval timelines run 15-45 days under NC Gen Stat §47F-3-107.1.
Easement fences: Fences within drainage, sewer, or utility easements must be removable on demand without compensation from the utility.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Charlotte code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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