Pinellas County, FL Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Side/rear setback max
- 6 ft (8 ft decorative)
- Front setback max
- 3 ft standard
- Waterfront rear fences
- must be semi-opaque
- Near right-of-way
- zoning clearance required over 3 ft
Summary
In unincorporated Pinellas County, residential fences max out at 6 feet in side and rear setbacks and 3 feet in front setbacks, with taller decorative styles allowed under specific conditions.
In residential districts, walls and fences are subject to the following: Within the required side and rear setback area: Six feet maximum height for a fence or wall of any style; or eight feet for a decorative fence or wall along secondary arterial and collector frontages... Within the required front setback area: Three feet maximum height for a fence or wall of any style.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 124).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 138-3702 caps residential fences and walls at six feet within required side and rear setbacks, or eight feet for a decorative fence along secondary arterial and collector frontages. Within the front setback, the base limit drops to three feet, though opaque or semi-opaque decorative fences can reach four or five feet, and a fence at the front setback line on the primary frontage can reach six feet subject to sight-visibility review under Sec. 138-3508. Waterfront rear-setback fences must be semi-opaque. This applies only to unincorporated areas. St. Petersburg, Clearwater and the other cities set their own fence codes.
Violations & Fines
A zoning clearance is required for any fence over three feet installed adjacent to a public right-of-way; fences exceeding the height limits without approval are subject to county code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a privacy fence be in unincorporated Pinellas County?
Does this fence rule apply inside St. Petersburg or Clearwater?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pinellas County
How Pinellas County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pinellas County to another location·View the Florida fence regulations overview
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