Lee's Summit, MO Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard max
- 4 feet
- Side/rear max
- 6 feet
- Permit-free height
- Up to 6 feet, no permit
- Corner lot privacy fence
- 6 ft, may encroach 15 ft into front
- Non-residential max
- 8 feet (CP-1, CP-2, CS, PI)
- Tennis court fence
- Up to 12 feet
Summary
Lee's Summit caps residential fences at 4 feet in the front yard and 6 feet in the side and rear yards under UDO Section 6.1350.D and Table 6.IV-1, and any fence or wall over 6 feet tall anywhere on the lot needs a building permit from the Building Official before construction begins.
Residential: 4 feet front yard 6 feet side and rear yard...A fence or wall may be constructed to a maximum height of six feet above the average grade without a permit being required.a.If a fence or wall exceeds six feet in height, a building permit for a fence shall be obtained from the Building Official.b.A building permit for a fence shall be required for the replacement or reconstruction of 50 percent or more of the entire linear length of an existing fence that exceeds six feet in height.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 55 | Unified Development Ordinance: Supplement 15).
Full Breakdown
2 lets a homeowner build a fence or wall up to 6 feet above average grade without a permit; anything taller requires a building permit from the Building Official, and replacing or rebuilding 50 percent or more of an existing fence's linear length that already exceeds 6 feet also triggers the permit requirement. IV-1's residential fence row sets the height limits by yard: 4 feet in the front yard and 6 feet in the side and rear yards. IV-1. b permits a fence or wall up to 6 feet on the rear property line, subject to the City's encroachment policy.
c bars any fence or wall taller than 4 feet from extending beyond the front face of the house, though a fence 4 feet or less can run to the front property line if it does not obstruct the sight triangle. IV-1, and a tennis-court enclosure is allowed up to 12 feet. c.
Violations & Fines
Building a fence taller than the applicable district maximum, or a fence over 6 feet without a building permit, violates Section 6.1350.D and the UDO generally. Section 1.170.C classifies that as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $10 to $250 for each day the violation continues, or up to ten days' imprisonment, with fines rising to $100-$500 per day for a second violation at the same address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a 6-foot fence in Lee's Summit?
How tall can my front yard fence be?
Can my side yard fence be taller than the front fence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lee's Summit
How Lee's Summit compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Lee's Summit to another location·View the Missouri fence regulations overview
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Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jackson County handle height limits.