Dade City, FL Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

The height rules sit in Section 6.3.3 of the Dade City Land Development Regulations, with Section 5.2.2(B)(4) confirming that fences, walls and hedges can stand in any required yard or along the edge of a yard, as long as they follow the Section 6.3 fencing standards. The text was reenacted by Ordinance No. 2026-01 on February 24, 2026.

In residential districts the front yard is the tightest zone. A front yard fence can be no higher than 4 feet, must run parallel to the property line, and must sit 2 feet back from that line. It needs 50% opacity, such as a picket fence, and the code states that no solid fences are permitted in the front yard area. Corner lots and lots with double or triple street frontage get one relief valve: a fence up to 6 feet high, with less than 50% opacity, can run along one street frontage yard if it is set back half the distance from the property line to the nearest structure on the lot. Accessory structures do not count as the structure for that measurement. Every fence next to a street, driveway or alley must also satisfy Section 7.2.6, Visibility Clearance, and Section 5.2.2(B)(4) bars any solid fence, solid wall or hedge in the required front yard from blocking the clear vision triangle.

Rear and side yard fences can be up to 6 feet tall along the property line. Side yard fencing cannot extend past the required front yard setback line.

Mixed-use and business districts follow a different pattern. No fence or wall is allowed in front setback areas, the rest of the front yard is capped at 4 feet, and side or rear yards are capped at 6 feet. A business owner who needs more can file a site security plan with the Community and Economic Development Director, who can only approve it or approve it with conditions. Approval requires proof that the property or its stored materials face significantly greater danger of theft or damage than surrounding properties, and that the extra height will not significantly harm the security, appearance or value of neighbors.

Height is measured from natural grade. A fence built on top of a wall or berm counts together with that wall or berm, and the combined height cannot exceed the limit for a fence alone. Where a retaining wall or topographic feature creates a grade differential between two lots, the fence may rise to the maximum height permitted measured from the grade where it is placed. Customary fencing at a tennis court, ball field or other recreational facility is exempt from the height limits.