Howell, NJ Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Section 188-12(A) of the Howell Township Code sets the height rules for fences and walls. Fences and walls cannot be located in any required sight triangle and cannot be higher than four feet unless set back from the street line the minimum setback required for the zone. Beyond that required setback, the limit is six feet in a residential zone and eight feet in a business zone. A fence or wall inside the required setback area must have open space for light and air representing at least 50% of the fence area.

Three categories escape the numeric caps: living fences, fences around agricultural uses, and fences around utility and industrial uses have no height limitation other than keeping a clear sight triangle. Corner lots in residential zones get a special rule in § 188-12(A)(1): a 50% discount on the required front yard setback applies to the practical side yard, so solid fences up to six feet in height are permitted within the discount area. The practical side yard is determined from the architectural front of the structure.

If the architectural front points directly at the intersection, the property's address defines the front property line and the other roadway frontage is the practical side yard. The allowance never permits fencing over four feet high or less than 50% open between the architectural front of the house and the front property line, and it applies to fences only, not accessory structures. Under § 188-12(B), older nonconforming fences or fences in the Township right-of-way stay only if the owner can produce a valid Township permit.