Pima County, AZ Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front Yard Max
- 3 feet
- Side/Rear Max
- 6 feet without permit
- Sight Triangle
- 30 inches max at intersections
- Barbed Wire
- Allowed in GR-1+ rural zones
- Permits
- Development Services: 520-724-9000
Summary
Pima County Zoning Code Chapter 18.67 regulates fences and walls in unincorporated areas. Front-yard walls max 3 feet in residential zones. Side/rear walls max 6 feet without a permit. Pima County Development Services issues fence permits for walls exceeding standard heights.
A. A swimming pool, or other contained body of water that contains water eighteen inches or more in depth at any point and that is wider than eight feet at any point and is intended for swimming, shall be protected by an enclosure surrounding the pool area, as provided in this section.
B. A swimming pool or other contained body of water required to be enclosed by subsection A whether a belowground or aboveground pool shall meet the following requirements:
1. Be entirely enclosed by at least a five foot wall, fence or other barrier as measured on the exterior side of the wall, fence or barrier.
2. Have no openings in the wall, fence or barrier through which a spherical object four inches in diameter can pass. The horizontal components of any wall, fence or barrier shall be spaced not less than forty-five inches apart measured vertically or shall be placed on the pool side of a wall, fence or barrier which shall not have any opening greater than one and three-quarter inches measured horizontally. Wire mesh or chain link fences shall have a maximum mesh size of one and three-quarter inches measured horizontally.
3. Gates for the enclosure shall:
(a) Be self-closing and self-latching with the latch located at least fifty-four inches above the underlying ground or on the pool side of the gate with a release mechanism at least five inches below the top of the gate and no opening greater than one-half inch within twenty-four inches of the release mechanism or be secured by a padlock or similar device which requires a key, electric opener or integral combination which can have the latch at any height.
(b) Open outward from the pool.
4. The wall, fence or barrier shall not contain openings, handholds or footholds accessible from the exterior side of the enclosure that can be used to climb the wall, fence or barrier.
5. The wall, fence or barrier shall be at least twenty inches from the water's edge.
Full Breakdown
Pima County Development Services administers fence and wall regulations under Chapter 18.67 of the County Zoning Code. In most residential zones (CR-1 through CR-5, SR), front-yard fences and walls are limited to 3 feet in height measured from natural grade. Side-yard and rear-yard fences may reach 6 feet without a permit. Walls exceeding 6 feet require a building permit and may require engineering review. Sight-visibility triangles at street intersections and driveway entrances restrict fence height to 30 inches within the triangle area. Barbed wire is allowed on rural parcels zoned GR-1 (1 acre minimum) and larger lots for agricultural fencing. No permit required for open wire agricultural fencing on parcels 2.5 acres or more. Wrought iron, masonry block, and wood are common approved materials. Chain-link fencing is permitted but may face HOA covenants in master-planned subdivisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a 6-foot block wall?
Can I install barbed wire on my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pima County
How Pima County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Pima County to another location·View the Arizona fence regulations overview
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