Suffolk, VA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Side/Rear Yard
- 6 ft max
- Street-Facing Solid
- 2.5 ft max
- Street-Facing Open
- 4 ft (50%+ open)
- Commercial
- 8 ft side/rear
- Code
- UDO Sec. 31-701(b)(10)
Summary
Suffolk allows fences up to 6 feet in required side and rear yards. In a yard adjacent to a street, a solid fence tops out at 2.5 feet, or 4 feet if at least 50% open. UDO Sec. 31-701(b)(10).
A fence or wall not more than six (6) feet in height may be located in any required side yard or rear yard other than a required yard adjacent to a street. A fence or wall not more than six (6) feet in height may be located in any planting screen/no access easement adjacent to a street serving a double frontage and/or reverse frontage lot. Except as allowed above, no fence or wall which creates a solid screen may exceed two and one-half (2½) feet in height in any required yard adjacent to a street, except that fences having a uniform open area of fifty percent (50%) or more may be erected to a maximum height of four (4) feet in such required yards. Height shall be measured from the average ground level adjacent to the fence or wall. No fence or wall shall encroach the visibility triangle.
B. The above standards shall not be deemed to prohibit any fences or walls which may be required for screening, security or safety purposes by other Sections of this Ordinance as determined by the Administrator; and
C. The "finished" side of any fence shall face outward towards surrounding properties and rights-of-way.
D. No barbed wire or electrified or similar type fences shall be permitted except in conjunction with a bona fide agricultural operation.
(11) Roadside sales of produce provided that operations shall be limited to no more than one hundred eighty (180) days per year and solely to the sale of produce grown or
Full Breakdown
Under Suffolk Unified Development Ordinance Sec. 31-701(b)(10), a fence or wall in a single-family district may reach six feet in any required side or rear yard not adjacent to a street. Along a street, a solid-screen fence cannot exceed 2.5 feet, though a fence that is at least 50 percent open may go to four feet. Height is measured from the average ground level, and no fence may encroach the corner visibility triangle. Commercial and industrial fences may reach eight feet in side or rear yards. Height and location can be modified through subdivision, planned development, or conditional use approval.
Violations & Fines
A non-compliant fence draws a zoning correction notice from Neighborhood Development Services; failure to lower or remove it can bring civil penalties and forced removal at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my backyard fence be in Suffolk?
What about a fence in my front yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Suffolk
How Suffolk compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Suffolk to another location·View the Virginia fence regulations overview
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