Stafford Township, NJ Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Section 211-35X governs fences. Under X(2)(a)[1], on any lot in a residential district no fence, wall or hedge can exceed six feet in height, and see-through fencing has the same six-foot maximum. Height is measured from the ground elevation or finished grade (X(2)(a)[2]). See-through fencing means a consistent density of not greater than 50%, a definition that covers fences, living fences and hedges (X(2)(a)[3]).

Front yards. Under X(5), every fence in the front yard of a residential area has to be at least 50% of an open, see-through variety. A corner lot has two front yards: the front yard extends for the full width of the street the house fronts on, and on the other street it extends to a line perpendicular to the street that intersects the frontmost point of the building (X(5)(b)). Where the rear yards of two corner lots abut back to back, the yard bordered by the side line adjacent to the intersecting street is not a front yard for either lot.

Sight triangles. X(4) requires clear sight triangles at all street intersections, and inside them nothing vision-obstructing can exceed 30 inches above the elevation of the existing street, though see-through-type fences are allowed at that height. X(6), added in 2018, states that only fences that fall within the sight triangle of the intersecting streets are required to be 50% open, and prints the calculation: a fixed point of 90 feet in each direction from the center of the intersection if no intersecting road is subject to traffic controls such as lights or stop signs, and if controlled, one car length behind 20 feet the stop bar or sign.

Lagoon lots. Fences on lagoon properties have to be of a see-through type for a minimum of 15 feet from any bulkhead or rear property line along the side line, and the entire rear fence has to be see-through (X(2)(a)[4]).

Placement and permit. Fences go at least six inches from the property line, and on the line only with the written approval of the adjoining owners (X(2)(a)[9]). Barbed wire, electrified fencing and spikes are prohibited ([7]). A fence permit from the Township Zoning Office is required for all fences except living fences (X(3)). Minor repairs that change no location and replace no more than 50% of the existing fence need no permit (§ 213-1K(4)).