Douglas County, NE Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front/street side yard max
- 4 feet
- Elsewhere on lot
- 6 feet
- Corner sight triangle
- 30 ft from intersection, no fence
- MU district max
- 6 feet
- Industrial district max
- 10 feet
Summary
In unincorporated Douglas County, residential fences are capped at 4 feet in a required front or street side yard and 6 feet elsewhere, with a 30-foot corner sight-triangle rule at intersections.
1. Height: The maximum height of a fence within a required front yard or street side yard setback shall be four feet. The maximum height for any fence outside of a required front yard shall be six feet.
2. Exception for Street Side Yards: On corner lots, a fence built along the street side yard in conformance with the required street yard setback may have a maximum height of six feet.
3. Exception for Front Yards of Double Frontage Lots: A fence built within the required front yard of a double frontage lot may be a maximum of six feet in height and may exceed 50 percent closed construction if such lot fronts an arterial street or expressway, as defined in the Comprehensive Development Plan of Douglas Page 7 of 8
County; and if such frontage does not provide primary access to the property. 4. Prohibited Fence Materials: In residential subdivisions, barbed wire and/or electrified fences are not permitted, and are defined as any fence that includes in its material barbs, blades, razors, electric current, or other features specifically designed to injure an individual or animal who attempts to negotiate the fence.
E. Office, Commercial, and Industrial Fences Fences constructed in mixed use and industrial districts are subject to the following special provisions: 1. MU District: The maximum height of a fence shall not exceed six feet. 2. MU and Industrial Districts: The maximum height of a fence shall be ten feet. Page 8 of 8
Full Breakdown
Douglas County's zoning regulations cap residential fence height at four feet within a required front yard or street side yard setback, and six feet everywhere else on the lot. Corner lots get an exception: a fence along the street side yard built to the required setback may reach six feet. Double-frontage lots fronting an arterial or expressway may build a six-foot, more-than-50%-closed fence in the front yard facing the street that doesn't provide primary access. No fence may sit within the 30-foot corner sight triangle at an intersection, and finished (good) sides must face neighboring properties and the street. Commercial MU districts cap fences at six feet; industrial districts allow up to ten feet. This applies only outside Omaha, Bennington, Valley, Waterloo and Ralston, which enforce their own codes.
Violations & Fines
Zoning enforcement can require a noncompliant fence be lowered or removed; the County Board may grant relief only through the special use permit process, not a routine variance for height alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my fence be in Douglas County?
Does this apply if I live in Omaha?
Can I build a fence at a corner intersection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Douglas County
How Douglas County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Douglas County to another location·View the Nebraska fence regulations overview
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