Bloomfield, NJ Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Fence height in Bloomfield Township is set by § 315-43 of the Land Development and Zoning chapter, which the Zoning Officer administers and enforces. Section 315-43B permits fences taller than four feet in the rear yard only, and no fence can exceed six feet in height. Fences enclosing industrial uses can be six feet high in all yards, provided adequate sight distances into and out of the property are preserved. Under § 315-43C, no existing fence can be changed or altered to exceed four feet unless it stands in a rear yard, again with the industrial exception.

Front yards carry stricter rules. Section 315-43I bars solid fences in any front yard, and in the R-1A Zone no fences can be erected in the front yard setback area. Any front yard fence needs a minimum of 60% open construction, and chain link, rail and wire mesh fences are not permitted in any front yard. Open construction is measured by dividing the total area of solid elements by the total area of the fence. Section 315-43K sets any permitted front yard fence back at least 10 feet from the front lot line, except split rail fences, and no fence can hinder the sight distances needed to exit a driveway safely.

Corner visibility is covered by § 315-43J. At the intersection of two or more streets, no hedge, fence or wall higher than 2 1/2 feet above curb level is permitted within the sight triangle, other than a post or tree not exceeding one square foot in cross-section area. The design standards in § 315-30M separately require sight triangles on corner lots, with street sides of at least 50 feet along an existing municipal street crossing an intersection and 30 feet along an existing street ending at an intersection.

Two exceptions matter. Section 315-43E exempts the height rules for fences erected in connection with schoolyards, playgrounds, public buildings and athletic or recreation fields. A nonconforming fence can be maintained or repaired only after partial destruction, which § 315-43D defines as retention of more than half the posts.