Colonie, NY Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Colonie regulates fence height through its Zoning Law, which is administered by the Department of Building & Code Enforcement and the Planning & Economic Development Department. The standard residential by-right limits are 4 feet in any front yard (the yard between the front lot line and the principal building's front wall) and 6 feet in side and rear yards; non-residential zoning districts can permit taller fencing as part of an approved site plan. Fence height is measured from existing natural grade to the highest point of the fence (including any post caps or decorative finials counting toward the maximum). On corner lots, no fence, hedge, or other visual obstruction may be placed within the sight-distance (visibility) triangle at the intersection of two streets, which Colonie's Zoning Law and the NYSDOT/MUTCD reference standards typically define as a triangular area extending roughly 25 to 30 feet along each curb line. Fences taller than the by-right limit, fences in front of a required setback line, or fences in a corner-lot sight triangle require either a zoning variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals or a sight-distance waiver from the Town Engineer. Pool barriers are governed by the separate ICC International Swimming Pool and Spa Code adopted by reference through the New York State Uniform Code (see swimming-pools/fencing-requirements).