Schenectady, NY Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

City Code Section 264-32B, Schedule D, sets both a maximum height and a maximum percentage of solid or opaque material for fences, walls and landscaping by where they sit on the lot. Fences in front yards top out at four feet and cannot be more than 70% opaque, except in the C-4 District, which is exempt from the opacity cap. Side yards between residential buildings can go to six feet, but stay limited to 70% opaque if the fence sits closer than five feet to the neighboring house; once it is at least five feet away, the opacity cap disappears.

Rear yards along a street line are capped at four feet and 70% opaque, rising to six feet with no opacity limit once the fence sits more than four feet from the sidewalk or street line; all other rear yards, away from any street, are allowed six feet with no opacity cap at all. Corner lots carry an extra restriction on top of Schedule D: under Section 264-34A, no fence, wall or other obstruction taller than four feet above grade may be grown, erected or maintained within 20 feet of the intersection of the curblines forming the corner, regardless of what Schedule D would otherwise allow at that location, so that turning drivers can see approaching traffic and pedestrians.

Materials are separately restricted under Section 264-32D, which bars barbed wire, chicken wire, pallets, plywood, sheet metal and construction fencing from any fence anywhere in the City.