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Prince William County, VA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Front yard max
42 inches (3.5 feet)
Side/rear yard max
6 feet
Corner-lot street side
42 inches
Taller-fence rule
1 foot setback per foot height
Citation
Zoning Ord. 32-300.02.3

Summary

Residential fences may reach six feet in side and rear yards, but only 42 inches in front yards and on the street side of corner lots. A taller fence must be set back one foot from the property line for every foot of height.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Prince William County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

In R-4, R-6, Residential Planned Community (RPC) and Planned Mixed Residential (PMR) zoning districts, fences shall not exceed six feet in height within the side and rear yards unless the fence is set back from the property line one foot for every one foot in height of the fence.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 46 Update 4).

Full Breakdown

Under the Prince William County Zoning Ordinance section 32-300.02.3, fences in R-4, R-6, RPC and PMR districts, and in other residential districts and agricultural lots under three acres, may not exceed six feet in side and rear yards unless set back one foot per foot of height. On corner lots, fences may not exceed 42 inches in the side and rear yard on the street side unless similarly set back. The county summarizes the front-yard limit as 42 inches (3.5 feet). Independent cities of Manassas and Manassas Park set their own separate rules.

Violations & Fines

Zoning enforcement handles fence-height violations; over-height fences must be lowered, relocated, or set back to meet the ratio. Contact Development Services at (703) 792-6830.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build a six-foot fence in my front yard?
No. In the front yard and on the street-facing side of a corner lot the limit is 42 inches, unless the fence is set back one foot for every foot of its height.
Does the limit differ by zoning district?
The six-foot side and rear yard limit and the 1:1 setback ratio apply across R-4, R-6, RPC, PMR and other residential districts and small agricultural lots under section 32-300.02.3.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Prince William County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsRetaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsMaterial RestrictionsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet Groomer RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet LimitsSome Restrictions

All Prince William County rules

How Prince William County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Prince William County to another location·View the Virginia fence regulations overview

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