Lexington County, SC Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Zoning Ordinance Sec. 22.11
- Restricted height band
- 2.5 feet to 10 feet
- Where it applies
- Intersection vision clearance triangles
- Sight distance measured by
- Sec. 22.15, per SCDOT/County Public Works
- Amended
- Ord. No. 23-17, June 25, 2024
Summary
Fences, walls and vegetation near street intersections in unincorporated Lexington County must stay out of the vision clearance triangle between 2.5 and 10 feet high. Zoning Ordinance Sec. 22.11 sets this height band to keep sightlines open for drivers and pedestrians at intersections.
For the safety of the traveling and pedestrian public, all intersections will maintain a vision clearance triangle. These triangles must be kept clear of all vegetation, walls, or structures between a height of 2 ½ feet and 10 feet to provide for safer movement of motorists and pedestrians.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 11, Vision Clearance, part of the zoning text rewritten by Ord. No. 23-17 on June 25, 2024, requires every intersection in the unincorporated county to maintain a vision clearance triangle that stays free of vegetation, walls, or structures between a height of 2 1/2 feet and 10 feet, protecting sightlines for drivers and pedestrians. 5 feet or taller than 10 feet does not block a driver's or pedestrian's line of sight the same way. The size and shape of the triangle itself depends on the intersection: locations with stop signs must meet the intersection sight distance standard in Sec.
15, signalized intersections or those with future signal potential must meet that same sight-distance standard, and all intersections must also satisfy applicable vision clearance rules set by the South Carolina Department of Transportation or Lexington County Public Works, whichever agency maintains the road. Sec. 15 separately defines how the triangle is measured for driveways: a point 15 feet from the edge of the road pavement out to the points providing minimum intersection sight distance in each direction, using a seeing height of 3 1/2 feet to an object 4 1/4 feet in height for driveways on state or county roads outside residential subdivisions.
Because vision clearance is a public-safety standard tied to street classification and maintaining agency, a homeowner planning a corner-lot fence should confirm the applicable triangle dimensions with Lexington County Public Works or SCDOT before installing anything within it.
Violations & Fines
Placing a fence, wall or vegetation that blocks the 2.5-to-10-foot vision clearance triangle at an intersection violates Sec. 22.11 of the Zoning Ordinance. Sec. 174.10 makes any zoning violation a misdemeanor with a fine up to the magistrate's court maximum penalty, and each day the obstruction remains is a separate offense; the Zoning Administrator can also order the obstruction removed under Sec. 174.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my corner-lot fence be in Lexington County?
Who decides how big the vision clearance triangle is?
Does this rule apply to hedges and trees, not just fences?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lexington County
How Lexington County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Lexington County to another location·View the South Carolina fence regulations overview
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