Linn County, IA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Fences and freestanding walls for residential uses shall not exceed the following height limitations:

a. In AG, CNR and RR districts: eight feet in height.

b. In VR, VM and USR, USR-MF and MH districts: seven feet in height.

(4) Permit required. A zoning permit is required for fences and freestanding walls for which a building permit is required.

(e) Retaining walls. A zoning permit shall be required for retaining walls that are greater than six feet in height and for which a building permit is required. Height of retaining walls for the purpose of meeting the requirements of this subsection shall be measured from the lowest grade adjacent to any point of the wall. Retaining walls can include, but are not limited to, structures of timbers, boulders, concrete or stone blocks, or other materials.

(f) Exceptions to height limitations. Height limitations specified for structures in various zoning districts in article V and article VII of this chapter shall not apply to the following appurtenances and structures:

(1) Church spires and church towers that are an architectural element of the church building and not a communication tower, and provided no communications device co-located on the spire or tower is higher than the spire or tower.

(2) Belfries.

(3) Public monuments.

(4) Typical residential telephone and television antennas and aerials not mounted on towers.

(5) Chimneys.

(6) Smoke stacks.

(7) Flag poles.

(8)