Hennepin County has no countywide fence-height ordinance because all land is within an incorporated city; each of the 45 cities sets its own fence rules. In Minneapolis, fences are regulated by the Zoning Code, Title 20, Chapter 535, Article VI (Section 535.420). Front-yard and corner-side-yard fences are limited to 3 feet, interior side yards to 4 feet (6 feet if the neighbor maintains a 5-foot setback), and rear/side yards along the rear lot line to 6 feet. Open decorative fencing under 60 percent opaque can be 2 feet taller, never above 8 feet total. No building permit is required in Minneapolis for residential fences, but zoning rules still apply.
Because Hennepin County is fully incorporated, there is no county fence ordinance. Each city sets its own zoning fence rule under authority of Minn. Stat. 462.357 (municipal zoning). In Minneapolis, the controlling provisions sit in the Zoning Code, Title 20, Chapter 535, Article VI - 'Fences,' Section 535.420 (Fence height). Maximum heights by location: required front yard - 3 feet; required corner side yard - 3 feet; required interior side yard - 4 feet (may increase to 6 feet if the adjoining property maintains at least a 5-foot interior side yard along the entire length of the principal structure's side wall); required rear yard or side yard along the rear lot line - 6 feet; areas outside required yards but within 5 feet of a public street or sidewalk - 6 feet. A fence may be 2 feet taller if the entire fence is constructed of open, decorative, ornamental materials less than 60 percent opaque, but no fence may exceed 8 feet in any case. Per the Minneapolis Planning & Zoning fences handout, no building permit is required to construct a residential fence, but the fence must still comply with all zoning provisions. Other Hennepin County cities have similar but distinct rules - Bloomington, Plymouth, Edina, Eden Prairie, and Minnetonka each typically allow 4 feet in front yards and 6-7 feet in rear yards with their own setbacks and corner-clearance triangles. Always confirm the specific city code before building.
Building a fence in violation of Minneapolis Zoning Code 535.420 can result in a zoning violation notice from the Minneapolis Department of Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED). Owners are typically required to lower or remove the non-conforming fence, or apply for a variance through the Board of Adjustment. Continued non-compliance can be charged as a misdemeanor under Title 20, Chapter 525, Section 525.230, with each day of violation a separate offense. Other Hennepin County cities use parallel zoning-enforcement structures with notice-and-cure procedures.
See how Hennepin County's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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