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's UDC Section 5.26 applies to all permanent fences and sets height, opacity, and safety standards. A key safety rule: any fence within 25 feet of the intersection of two or more street lot lines, where the district's minimum front setback is greater than none, may not exceed 30 inches above sidewalk grade—keeping the corner visibility triangle clear. Fences must also be maintained so they do not endanger life or property; a fence in disrepair is deemed a nuisance. Because Washtenaw County does not zone under MCL 125.3101, these requirements are Ann Arbor's; Ypsilanti and townships adopt comparable corner and maintenance rules.
A corner fence over 30 inches, or a fence deemed a nuisance through disrepair, is a code violation; the city may require lowering, repair, or removal.
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See how Washtenaw County's fence requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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