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Passaic, NJ Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Front yard max: 4 feet
Rear/side yard max: 6 feet
M/R district boundary max: 8 feet
C, M-1, M-2 open fence max: 8 feet
Governing section: Code of the City of Passaic § 317-50

Summary

Passaic caps front-yard fences at four feet and allows rear- and side-yard fences up to six feet under Code of the City of Passaic § 317-50. Taller fences and walls are permitted only in specific commercial, manufacturing and district-boundary situations.

A fence not exceeding four feet in height. A fence not exceeding six feet in height across the rear lot line of the property and along the side lot lines from the rear lot line to a point equal to the rear line of the dwelling if extended to said side line... The front yard, which includes the entire front of the property to the corner of the house, shall be no higher that four feet.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4978046; v41 updated 2026-07-01; through 07-01-2026).

Full Breakdown

" Taller fences are allowed in limited circumstances: a fence or wall up to six feet high on a residential lot that is contiguous to a lot in a C or M District, and a fence or wall up to eight feet high along a boundary between an M District and an R District. Retaining walls are addressed separately and are not subject to these height caps. C allows solid fences up to six feet in most non-R-1/R-2/R-1A zones to enclose a vacant lot, provided the exterior face is finished and kept free of graffiti or advertising.

D, which bars any fence or wall taller than three feet inside the sight triangle at a corner lot. These height limits were most recently amended by Ordinance No. 1594-03 (front-yard clarification, 2003) after earlier amendments in 1987 and 1988. Enforcement runs through the administrative officer under Article XII of the Zoning Ordinance.

Violations & Fines

A fence built over the four-foot front-yard cap or the applicable rear/side maximum is a zoning violation. The administrative officer can refuse or revoke the required zoning permit, and continued noncompliance is enforced under the City's general penalty provisions in Chapter 1, Article II, which can include fines; the code notes the penalty does not prevent enforced removal of the prohibited condition (§ 317-67).

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can my front-yard fence be in Passaic?

No higher than four feet. Section 317-50.A(1)(b) states the front yard, defined as running to the corner of the house, "shall be no higher th[a]n four feet," even though a rear or side fence on the same lot may reach six feet.

Can I build a six-foot fence along my side yard?

Yes, but only from the rear lot line forward to a point even with the rear of the dwelling if extended to the side line: the portion closer to the street front is capped at four feet under § 317-50.A(1)(b).

Are taller fences ever allowed on residential lots?

Yes: up to six feet where the lot is contiguous to a C or M District lot, and up to eight feet along an M/R District boundary, per § 317-50.A(1)(c) and (d).

Sources & Official References

[1]Code of the City of Passaic § 317-50, Fences and walls

Other rules in Passaic

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSignificant Restrictions Retaining WallsSome Restrictions Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions Neighbor Fence RulesSome Restrictions Material RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions

All Passaic rules

How Passaic compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Passaic to another location·View the New Jersey fence regulations overview

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