Royal Oak Township, MI Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential general limit
- Six feet or less, behind the front building line
- Residential side yard
- Four feet or less, one foot from sidewalk
- Decorative front fence
- Three feet or less above grade
- Rear privacy screen
- Not over 6 1/2 feet above grade
- Corner sight distance
- 30 inches or less within 25-foot triangle
- Industrial districts
- Eight feet or less behind front building line
Summary
In the Charter Township of Royal Oak, Michigan, residential fences six feet or less sit behind the front building line, side yard fences are four feet or less, decorative front fences are three feet or less, and corner lot fences keep sight lines clear at 30 inches or less within the vision triangles.
(1) Residential districts. a. Fences six feet or less in height above grade shall be located behind the front building line. b. Fences four feet or less in height may be located within the side yard, provided the fence is set back a minimum of one foot from the nearest edge of any existing or required sidewalk. c. Decorative fences may be located between the front building line and the front lot line, provided decorative fences are three feet or less in height above grade, are set back a minimum of one foot from the nearest edge of any sidewalk, and adhere to the clear vision standard for all driveways and access points. ... (9) Clear vision. Fences located on corners lots shall be designed to provide unobstructed sight distance for drivers at 30 inches or less in height at grade, meeting the following standards: a. The area formed at the corner intersection of two public right-of-way lines, the two sides of the triangular area being 25 feet in length measured along abutting public right-of-way lines, and third side being a line connecting these two sides; or
Full Breakdown
Section 32-635 of the Royal Oak Charter Township Code sets fence heights by district. In residential districts, fences six feet or less in height above grade must be located behind the front building line. Fences four feet or less in height can sit within the side yard, provided the fence is set back a minimum of one foot from the nearest edge of any existing or required sidewalk. Decorative fences can be placed between the front building line and the front lot line only if they are three feet or less in height above grade, set back a minimum of one foot from the nearest edge of any sidewalk, and consistent with the clear vision standard for all driveways and access points. Privacy screens go on the interior of the lot in the rear yard, with six feet of clearance from any other fence, structure or property line, and cannot exceed 6 1/2 feet in height above grade.
Other districts have their own numbers. Commercial districts allow fences six feet or less behind the front building line, six feet or less in the side yard with the one-foot sidewalk setback, and decorative fences of three feet or less in front. Industrial districts allow fences eight feet or less behind the front building line. Fences enclosing public parks, playgrounds or similar public uses cannot exceed eight feet and must be decorative. A fence on a vacant lot next to a lot with an established dwelling cannot exceed six feet.
Corner lots carry a separate sight-distance rule in subsection (e)(9). Fences must provide unobstructed sight distance for drivers at 30 inches or less in height at grade. One protected area is the triangle at the corner of two public right-of-way lines, with two sides of 25 feet measured along the abutting right-of-way lines. The other is the triangle where a public right-of-way meets a driveway, with two sides of 10 feet.
The Building Official can approve a deviation for a unique parcel configuration, and an applicant can appeal a decision on a proposed fence to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Violations & Fines
Under § 32-262, any violation of the zoning chapter is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or both, for each offense, with each day a separate offense. Subsection (e)(5) makes failure to comply with a written notice from the Building Official a violation, and the owner and anyone who maintains the violation can each be charged.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a residential fence be in Royal Oak Township?
What is the corner lot visibility rule?
How high can a privacy screen be?
What if my lot is unusual and cannot meet the height rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Royal Oak Township
How Royal Oak Township compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Royal Oak Township to another location·View the Michigan fence regulations overview
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