Islip, NY Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard (within 15 ft of line)
- 4 ft (3 ft at corner or driveway)
- Side/rear privacy (solid) fence
- 6 ft
- Open/chain-link fence max
- 8 ft (over 6 ft must be open type)
- Code Section
- Sec. 68-406A, 68-406B
Summary
In the Town of Islip a fence may be no higher than 4 feet within 15 feet of a street property line, no higher than 6 feet for a solid privacy fence in side and rear yards, and up to 8 feet only if it is an open chain-link type that does not block more than 15% of light or visibility.
ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS ON THE HEIGHT OF A FENCE? Yes, there are height restrictions for fences; please refer to Sec. 68-404, Sec. 68-405 and Sec. 68-406 of The Code. Side and Rear Yard: Fences may be no higher than 6 feet in the case of privacy-type fences. Fences may be no higher than 8 feet in the case of an open chain-link-type fence, or one which does not restrict light or visibility through more than 15% of its surface (evenly distributed). Front Yard: Fences may be no higher than 4 feet when placed on or less than 15 feet from the property line (except when located on a corner or adjacent to a driveway, in which case maximum height is 3 feet). Fences may be no higher than 8 feet when set back 15 feet or more from the property line. Any fence over 6 feet high must be an open chain-link-type fence, or one which does not restrict light or visibility through more than 15% of its surface (evenly distributed).
Full Breakdown
Fence heights are set by Islip Town Code Article XXX, primarily Section 68-406 (Fences and walls). Under Section 68-406A no fence or wall (except an existing retaining wall) may exceed 6 feet above the ground unless it is an open chain-link type, or one which does not restrict light or visibility through more than 15% of its surface (evenly distributed), but in no case may any fence exceed 8 feet anywhere on the property. Section 68-406B limits any fence or wall to 4 feet when set back less than 15 feet from a street property line, and for corner lots to 4 feet when set back less than 10 feet from the second front yard line.
The Town's official Building Division FAQ summarizes this as 4 feet in the front yard on or within 15 feet of the line (3 feet on a corner or next to a driveway), up to 8 feet when set back 15 feet or more, and 6 feet for privacy fences or 8 feet for open fences in side and rear yards. A General Zoning Standards note adds that in all zones a fence over 4 feet high requires a 15-foot front yard setback and a 10-foot second front yard setback.
Violations & Fines
Fences exceeding these heights are zoning violations enforced by the Town of Islip Division of Building and the Department of Public Safety. Owners may be required to lower or remove the fence or seek relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals; continued violations of the Town Code are subject to the penalties in Chapter 68.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my backyard fence be in Islip?
How tall can a front yard fence be?
Can I build an 8-foot fence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Islip
How Islip compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·New York rules heatmap·Compare Islip to another location·View the New York fence regulations overview
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Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Suffolk County handle height limits.