Portsmouth, VA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

2-305, referenced in Sec. 2-305(D)(3)(a), sets the maximum fence and wall height by district type and yard. In residential districts, an interior lot's front yard fence is capped at 4 feet if it is at least 50 percent transparent, or 6 feet if it is solid but only at the front facade; side and rear yard fences in residential districts may run up to 6 feet. Commercial districts allow 4 feet and 50 percent transparency in the front yard but step up to 8 feet on the sides and rear; industrial districts allow 8 feet in every yard.

Corner lots and double-frontage lots follow the same numeric table but add a safety cross-reference: within the sight triangle at a street intersection, height is instead governed by Sec. 2-305. Height is always measured from finished grade on the highest point of the fence or wall, per Sec. 2-305(D)(3), so a fence stepped up a slope is measured at its tallest point, not an average. A taller fence, up to 8 feet, can be approved only through a site security plan reviewed by the Zoning Administrator under Sec. 2-305(E), and anything above 8 feet needs a Special Exception under Sec. 2-535.