Dearborn, MI Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential height cap
- 6 feet
- Front yard fences
- not permitted
- Corner lot taper
- 4 ft to 2 ft
- Corner sight triangle
- 25-foot legs
- Sightline clearance
- 30 in. to 6 ft
Summary
Dearborn caps residential line fences at six feet, bans fences in the front yard, tapers corner-lot fences to two feet, and protects 25-foot sight triangles at intersections.
(a) Line fences in residential districts shall not exceed six feet in height. ... (c) No fence shall be permitted to extend into one's own front yard. No fence shall be located beyond the rear yard or project into the side yard farther than three feet from the side grade door opening to enclose the door in a side yard.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-07: Code: Updated through: July 22, 2026 | Zoning: Updated through: July 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 5-128(1) caps line fences in Dearborn's residential districts at six feet, including any one-foot decorative top. Fences can't extend into an owner's own front yard or project more than three feet past a side door opening into the side yard, though corner lots get a taper: four feet at the building line down to two feet at the front lot line. Separately, Sec. 5-127(6)(a) requires every fence to preserve unobstructed sight triangles, 25-foot legs measured along the rights-of-way at street corners, 10-foot legs at driveway crossings, and clear sightlines between 30 inches and six feet high.
Violations & Fines
Erecting a fence over six feet, in a front yard, or that blocks a required corner or driveway sight triangle violates Sec. 5-127/5-128; the building official can order it altered or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the tallest fence Dearborn allows in a backyard?
Can a corner-lot fence in Dearborn block visibility at the intersection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dearborn
How Dearborn compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Dearborn to another location·View the Michigan fence regulations overview
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Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle height limits.