In unincorporated Baltimore County, residential fences may be up to 42 inches (3.5 feet) in a front yard and 6 feet in a side or rear yard. A fence may reach 10 feet if set back 2 feet horizontally per vertical foot above 6 feet.
Baltimore County Building Code Part 122.1 sets residential fence heights: 42 inches maximum in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards. Height above 6 feet is allowed up to 10 feet only when the fence is set back from the property line 2 feet horizontally for every vertical foot over 6 feet. Commercial fences may be built up to 12 feet (Part 122.2). At street corners a 3-foot sight-triangle limit applies. Any fence over 42 inches requires a Baltimore County permit. These are countywide rules for unincorporated areas, not Baltimore City.
Over-height or unpermitted fences are code violations enforced by Permits, Approvals and Inspections; owner must lower, remove, or obtain a waiver/permit, and may face citations.
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See how Baltimore County's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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