Countywide zoning lets closed (privacy) fences up to 6 feet and open fences up to 6 feet stand in side or rear yards without a setback. Closed fences over 3 feet and open fences over 6 feet trigger setback and bulk rules.
Howard County's Zoning Regulations (Section 128.0.A.9) govern fence height in every district because the county zones all unincorporated land, including Columbia, Ellicott City and Elkridge. Closed fences, walls and individual retaining walls three feet or less, and open fences six feet or less, are exempt from all setback requirements. Closed fences over three feet and up to six feet are exempt only in a side or rear yard. Anything taller must meet the applicable district's accessory-structure bulk requirements. Where ground levels differ, height is measured from the lower side.
Fences exceeding the exempt heights or built in a required setback are zoning violations enforced by the Department of Inspections, Licenses & Permits; owners may be ordered to lower or remove noncompliant fencing.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
howard-county-md
Howard County allows residential backyard composting and actively promotes it. The county runs a Feed the Green Bin curbside food-scrap collection and sells ...
howard-county-md
Howard County has no ordinance specifically prohibiting or requiring artificial turf for residential yards. Synthetic lawns are generally allowed, but becaus...
howard-county-md
Howard County places no restriction on planting native or pollinator gardens. Maryland's low-impact landscaping law (House Bill 322, 2021) bars homeowners as...
howard-county-md
Howard County does not ban rainwater harvesting. Rain barrels and cisterns are legal and actively promoted through the county's Live Green Howard and stormwa...
howard-county-md
Howard County has no year-round odd/even watering ban. Water use is limited only when the state declares a drought. Under Maryland's Level One Mandatory Rest...
howard-county-md
Howard County's adopted Property Maintenance Code requires exterior premises to be kept free of weeds and rank plant growth, but it applies only to rental an...
See how Howard 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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.