Sandoval County, NM Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front-yard fence max
- 3 feet
- Rear/side-yard fence max
- 6 feet
- Near multi-family/commercial
- Up to 8 feet
- Corner sightline triangle
- 10 ft x 20 ft, walls over 3 ft
- Governing section
- CZO § 14.E
- Fences over 6 feet
- Need a building permit
Summary
Sandoval County caps residential front-yard fences and walls at three feet and rear or side-yard fences at six feet under Section 14.E. Walls next to multi-family, commercial or industrial land can reach eight feet, and corner lots must keep a sightline triangle clear near the intersection.
E.Fences and Walls. The following restrictions on fences and walls shall apply:1.In all Urban Residential Districts, the maximum height of freestanding walls or fences in a required front yard setback shall be three (3) feet. In the areas behind the required front yard setback, and in the rear and side yards, the maximum height of such walls shall be six (6) feet, except as noted below.2.In residential districts, walls along the rear of reverse frontage of lots or walls adjacent to multi-family, commercial, or industrial uses or districts may have a maximum height of eight (8) feet....5.a.On a corner lot contiguous to a key lot, fences or freestanding walls over three (3) feet in height may be placed upon the property line except within a triangle measured ten (10) feet from the street along the common lot line, and twenty (20) feet along the property line extending from the common lot line towards the front of the corner lot.
Full Breakdown
E of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance governs fences and walls in all Urban Residential Districts. In the required front-yard setback, a freestanding wall or fence tops out at three feet; behind that setback, and in the rear and side yards, the limit rises to six feet. 2 allows walls up to eight feet. 4 allows taller open-wire fencing around tennis courts in the rear and side yards, but only with a conditional use permit. a: on a corner lot next to a key lot, a fence or wall over three feet cannot sit within a triangle measured ten feet along the common lot line and twenty feet along the property line toward the front of the corner lot, so drivers and pedestrians can see around the corner.
12 bars any obstruction over two feet within a thirty-three-foot corner triangle for all front-yard-required zones, with exceptions for pruned trees and gas station signage. 6.
Violations & Fines
The Zoning Officer enforces fence and wall standards under Section 15.F, issuing a written notice with 30 days to bring a fence into compliance once a complaint or inspection substantiates a violation. An uncorrected violation can draw a citation and a civil fine of up to $300 under Section 24, which the county may record as a lien on the property; fencing over six feet also requires a building permit under Section 15.G(2)[g].
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my backyard fence be in Sandoval County?
Do I need a permit for a six-foot fence?
What is the corner-lot sightline rule for fences?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sandoval County
How Sandoval County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Sandoval County to another location·View the New Mexico fence regulations overview
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