Blaine, MN Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Blaine's fence standards live in Sec. 129-8, a dedicated section covering permits, materials, and placement of every fence in the city. A fence permit from the building official is required before any fence is erected or substantially altered under Sec. 129-8(c). Height and setback limits for single- and two-family residential districts are set out in Sec. 129-8(f): a front yard fence is capped at four feet above ground level in front of the front face of the residential structure. Corner side yards are tiered, four feet if placed at the property line, or six feet if set back at least one foot.

Interior side yards along interior lot lines allow a straight six-foot maximum. Rear yards follow the same corner-style tier as corner sides: six feet where the rear yard does not front a public right-of-way, but only four feet at the property line, or six feet with a one-foot setback, where the rear yard fronts a right-of-way. A separate corner-lot sight rule caps any fence over 30 inches within the intersection sight distance triangle unless it is at least 75 percent transparent, protecting driver visibility at intersections.

Electric fences and barbed wire are banned in residential zones outright, except for farm fences on FR- or AG-zoned property, which get their own setback and voltage rules under Sec. 129-8(j). Fences taller than six feet, up to a ten-foot maximum, require a conditional use permit approved by the city council after a planning commission recommendation, available only for road-noise screening or unusual topography under Sec. 129-8(h)(2).