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Stearns County, MN Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Residential fence height
6 feet maximum
Front yard fence height
4 feet maximum
Right-of-way
No fence permitted
Driveway sightlines
Must not be blocked
Shoreland Overlay
Extra rule, Sec. 10.2.11.D

Summary

Stearns County's zoning ordinance caps residential fences at six feet under Section 7.12.1.A, but a fence inside the required front yard cannot exceed four feet. No fence may sit in a public right-of-way, and none may block a driveway's sightline onto the road.

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

Fences may be installed and maintained in any yard along or adjacent to a property line, in accordance with the requirements contained in this section. ... No fence shall be constructed in any public right-of-way. No fence in a residential district shall exceed six (6) feet in height. Fences within the required front yard shall not exceed four (4) feet in height. No fence shall impede the vision of the roadway from a driveway providing access to the road. Fences in the Shoreland Overlay District shall also comply with the requirements contained in Section 10.2.11 D of this Ordinance.

Full Breakdown

12 permits fences 'in any yard along or adjacent to a property line' as long as they meet the requirements in the section. A sets the numeric caps: 'No fence shall be constructed in any public right-of-way. No fence in a residential district shall exceed six (6) feet in height. ' That means a residential lot can carry a six-foot fence in the side or rear yard, but the same fence drops to a four-foot ceiling once it sits inside the required front yard setback.

B addresses sightlines rather than height: no fence may impede the view of the roadway from a driveway that provides access to the road, a rule aimed at cars pulling out safely rather than at a specific measured triangle. D of the ordinance, so a lakeshore or riverside parcel can face a stricter standard than the base six-foot, four-foot rule. There is no exemption in this section for chain-link, wood, or ornamental fencing; the height caps apply regardless of material.

Violations & Fines

Section 7.12 carries no separate fine schedule. A fence that exceeds six feet in a residential district, exceeds four feet in a required front yard, sits in a right-of-way, or blocks driveway sightlines does not meet Section 7.12.1 and is subject to the Department's standard zoning compliance process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can a fence be in Stearns County?
Up to six feet in a residential district under Section 7.12.1.A, except within the required front yard, where the limit drops to four feet.
Can I put a fence right on the road right-of-way in Stearns County?
No. Section 7.12.1.A states no fence shall be constructed in any public right-of-way.
Are there extra fence rules near lakes in Stearns County?
Yes. Section 7.12.1.C requires fences in the Shoreland Overlay District to also comply with Section 10.2.11.D of Ordinance 439, on top of the standard height limits.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Stearns County

All Stearns County rules

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

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