Fences in unincorporated Greene County are governed by the Greene County Zoning Regulations (originally adopted Dec. 26, 1978, amended). Fences up to eight (8) feet are permitted in rear and side yards as a matter of right; fences exceeding 8 feet but not greater than 10 feet in rear or side yards require approval of a conditional use permit from the Greene County Planning and Zoning Commission. Front-yard, corner sight-distance triangles, and easement restrictions also apply. Building permits are issued by the Greene County Building Regulations Office (417-868-4015). Inside Springfield or other incorporated cities, those cities' codes govern instead.
Greene County exercises zoning authority over its unincorporated territory under RSMo Chapter 64 through the Greene County Zoning Regulations administered by the Resource Management Department's Planning and Zoning Office (940 N. Boonville Ave, Room 306, Springfield, MO 65802; 417-868-4005). Fences are treated as structures under the Zoning Regulations and must respect required yard setbacks for the underlying district (A-1 Agriculture, R-1 Residential, etc., listed in Articles V and following). The Zoning Regulations expressly allow fences exceeding eight (8) feet but not greater than ten (10) feet in height in rear or side yards upon approval of a conditional use permit by the Planning and Zoning Commission; fences taller than 10 feet are not contemplated as a permitted residential use. Fences cannot be placed in dedicated easements without easement-holder consent, and they must avoid blocking a corner sight-distance triangle at street intersections. A fence of any height that exceeds the elevation of the surrounding ground in a required yard may also be subject to additional setback rules. A building permit is generally required from the Greene County Building Regulations Office (417-868-4015) for fences over a threshold height; applicants should confirm before starting work. Greene County's adopted building code package (the 2012 International Codes plus the 2011 NEC, with amendments) governs structural and electrical aspects of fences. Inside the city limits of Springfield, Republic, Battlefield, Strafford, Willard, Ash Grove, or Fair Grove, the relevant municipality's land-development code controls — for Springfield, that is the Springfield Land Development Code (Title 36).
Construction of a fence in violation of the Greene County Zoning Regulations is a zoning violation enforceable through stop-work orders, removal orders, and civil enforcement under RSMo Chapter 64 (Missouri's county zoning enabling statutes). The Building Regulations Office can also withhold inspections and certificates of occupancy for related work. Owners may be ordered to lower or remove a non-compliant fence at their expense. Always confirm a fence project with Greene County Planning and Zoning at (417) 868-4005 and Building Regulations at (417) 868-4015 before construction.
See how Greene County's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.