Clifton, NJ Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard fence height
- 4 ft, 50% open
- Side yard (front section)
- 4 ft, 50% open
- Side yard (rear section)
- 5 ft, may be solid
- Rear line fence height
- 6 ft, top ft open
- Corner/through lot street side
- 4 ft, 50% open
- Sight triangle obstruction limit
- 3 ft 6 in above street grade
- Sight triangle distance
- 20 ft from corner (90° lot)
Summary
Clifton caps residential fences at four feet in front yards and along street-facing side yards, and at six feet along the rear when the top foot is at least half open. Corner lots must keep a visibility triangle clear of anything over three feet six inches near the intersection.
A. The following shall be permitted in residential districts: (1) A fence not exceeding four feet in height erected along the front property line and along the side lines to the front line of the main structure. Such fence shall have open space of at least the same size and between each two pickets, slats or other construction elements; that is, 50% open construction. ... (4) A fence erected along the side lines from the rear line of the main structure to the rear property line and along said rear property line shall not exceed six feet in height. Such fence must have a minimum of the top one foot as an open design such as a basket weave or picket style fence with a minimum of 50% open. ... § 461-48. On every corner lot in an R, B-A, B-A1, B-B and M-1 District, within the triangle formed by the street lines on such lot and a line drawn between points on such street lines at the distance from their intersection specified below, there shall be no fence or wall higher than three feet six inches above the street grade, nor any other obstruction to vision...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4963532; v64 updated 2026-07-21; through 07-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
Clifton Code § 461-47A sets residential fence heights by segment of the lot. Along the front property line and along side lines up to the front line of the house, a fence tops out at four feet and must be at least 50% open construction. From the front line of the house back to the rear line, side fences can rise to five feet and may be solid, stockade or basket-weave. Along the side line from the rear line of the house to the rear property line, and along that rear line itself, a fence can reach six feet, but the code requires the top foot to carry an open design, basket weave or picket style, that is at least 50% open.
§ 461-48 layers a separate sight-triangle rule on top of the height limits: on corner lots in the R, B-A, B-A1, B-B and M-1 Districts, within the triangle formed by the street lines and a line connecting points measured back from the corner (20 feet for a 90-degree-or-greater corner, more for a sharper angle), nothing but a post, tree or column under one square foot in cross-section may stand higher than three feet six inches above the street grade, up to a height of 10 feet above the curb.
Violations & Fines
Violations of Clifton's fence rules fall under the citywide zoning penalty at § 461-71: a fine up to $1,250 (minimum $100) and up to 90 days in jail or community service, with repeat violations drawing an added fine and each continuing day treated as its own offense. The Zoning Officer can order a noncompliant fence taken down in addition to any court fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a front yard fence be in Clifton?
Can I build a six-foot fence in my backyard?
What is the corner lot sight triangle rule?
Does a corner lot get the same four-foot rule as a straight lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clifton
How Clifton compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Clifton to another location·View the New Jersey fence regulations overview
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Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Passaic County handle height limits.