Clay, NY Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Section 230-20B(2)(a) of the Town Code, added by Local Law No. 3-2006, caps residential fence and wall height at 7 feet, with an exception for wire fences, which are not subject to that limit. A stricter rule applies closer to the street: under § 230-20B(2)(b), no fence or hedge in the front yard or side yard between the street line and the setback line may exceed 2 1/2 feet, protecting sightlines near the road. Section 230-20B(2)(c) separately bars erecting any fence across an easement or right-of-way, regardless of height.

Fences located in a designated flood zone must additionally comply with Chapter 112, Flood Damage Prevention, per § 230-20B(2)(d), and any fence surrounding a swimming pool must meet the separate pool provisions of § 230-20B(3) under § 230-20B(2)(e). These standards apply on top of, not instead of, the Town's general building-permit and fee requirements for fence construction under § 80-4 and § 105-4, so a homeowner planning a tall privacy fence in a rear yard, or a low fence near the street, needs to check both the height limit and the permit process before installing it.