Saint Paul limits front-yard fences to 4 feet and side/rear-yard fences to 7 feet under Sec. 60.209. Corner lots have a 2-foot max in the sight-triangle area near intersections.
Residential fences in Saint Paul are governed by Sec. 60.209 of the Legislative Code. In front yards, fences may not exceed 4 feet in height. Side-yard and rear-yard fences may be up to 7 feet tall. On corner lots where two streets intersect, a triangular area extending 10 feet from the corner is limited to 2 feet in fence height to preserve driver sight lines, unless the fence material is at least 80 percent open (such as chain link). Nonresidential uses in residential zoning districts may install fences up to 8 feet, with exceptions for tennis court fences (12 feet), backstop fences (20 feet), and golf range fences (30 feet). Fences exceeding 7 feet require a building permit and inspection. Variance requests for height deviations require an $85 nonrefundable application through the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Fences that exceed the permitted height or violate sight-triangle rules may result in a code compliance notice from the Department of Safety and Inspections. Property owners are typically given 30 days to correct violations. Continued noncompliance can result in administrative citations and fines.
Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Politi...
Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul has no specific City ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. The principal restrictions come from HOA and condo covenants un...
Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Restrictions arise principally from HOA and condo covenan...
Saint Paul, MN
Outdoor kitchens in Saint Paul require separate trade permits from the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI): building permit for structural elements, m...
Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul has no specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers or pellet grills at single-family homes. Multi-unit balcony smokers face the same ...
Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul enforces the Minnesota State Fire Code (Minn. Rules Ch. 7511), which adopts the International Fire Code. IFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking...
See how Saint Paul's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.