Davenport, IA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front Setback (Solid)
- 4 feet max
- Front Setback (Open)
- 6 feet max
- Interior Side/Rear
- 6 feet max
- Inside Buildable Area
- 8 feet max
- Code Section
- DMC 17.09.030.H
Summary
Davenport caps solid fences at 4 feet and open fences at 6 feet within front and reverse-corner-side setbacks. Interior side and rear fences may reach 6 feet, and fences inside the buildable area may reach 8 feet.
Within the required front or reverse corner side setback, solid fences are limited in height to four feet and open fences are limited to a height of six feet. Chain-link fences or other similar wire materials are prohibited. Within the required minimum interior side or rear setback, fences are limited to a height of six feet (open or solid).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4820400; v43 updated 2026-03-11; through 03-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Davenport Municipal Code Section 17.09.030.H, residential-district fence height depends on location. Within the required front or reverse corner side setback, solid fences are limited to four feet and open fences to six feet, and chain-link is prohibited there. Interior side and rear setback fences may reach six feet, open or solid. Fences built outside the required setback, within the buildable area, may reach eight feet. Height is measured from adjacent ground to the highest point, though decorative posts may exceed the limit by nine inches. Fences are barred from a 30-foot visibility triangle at street intersections.
Violations & Fines
Nonconforming fences draw a zoning code-compliance notice from Davenport; the owner must lower or remove the fence, and unresolved violations are prosecuted as municipal infractions with per-day fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my backyard fence be?
How tall can a front-yard fence be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davenport
How Davenport compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Davenport to another location·View the Iowa fence regulations overview
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