Plymouth, MN Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Plymouth measures fence height from the adjoining grade to the top of the support posts or post caps, and separately caps how tall the visible panels or boards can be, under City Code Section 21130.01, Subd. 5. Fences built with up to 100 percent opacity may reach 6.5 feet overall (6-foot panels) once they sit at or behind the minimum front setback line required for the principal structure, and the same height applies to fences enclosing a homeowners-association pool amenity lot or screening non-residential uses in front of the building line. Inside the required front yard itself, the limits drop: fences with 50 percent or greater opacity are capped at 3.5 feet with 3-foot panels, while more open designs such as wrought iron, chain link or split rail can reach 4.5 feet, including ground clearance and post caps, with 4-foot panels.

Height also drives whether a permit fee applies. Under Subd. 2(a), agricultural, single-family and two-family fence and wall permits are free unless the fence would exceed seven feet or the wall would exceed four feet, in which case a building permit and its fee under Section 1015 kick in instead of the no-fee fence permit. Fences over 6.5 feet generally require a conditional use permit under Subd. 6(a), capped at 8 feet, and any fence over 7 feet needs the building permit regardless of use.

Corner lots and driveways carry an added restriction: no fence or wall may be placed within a traffic sight visibility triangle at a driveway or street intersection unless it meets the sight-clearance rules in Section 21105.05. Plantings have no height cap except within that same visibility triangle.