Topeka, KS Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Citywide max
- 8 feet
- R/M front-of-house max
- 4 feet
- Corner lot (arterial)
- 6 feet
- Sight triangle
- City Engineer can order removal
Summary
Topeka caps fences at eight feet everywhere, but in R and M residential districts a fence beyond the front of the house drops to four feet: six feet on most corner lots along an arterial street.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, no portion of a fence shall exceed eight feet in height. ... (3) In R and M districts, fences beyond the front face of the principal structure shall not exceed four feet in height. On corner lots, but not including reversed corner lots, fences beyond the front face of the principal structure where the fence is located along an arterial street that runs perpendicular to the corner lot's established rear yard shall not exceed six feet in height.
Full Breakdown
Topeka Municipal Code § 18.210.040(a) sets the citywide fence ceiling at eight feet. In R and M residential districts, any fence beyond the front face of the house is limited to four feet, rising to six feet on corner lots (not reversed corner lots) where the fence runs along an arterial street perpendicular to the lot's established rear yard; reversed corner lots stay at four feet in all required front yards. The City Engineer can also order a fence removed if it creates a traffic hazard or sits within a sight-distance triangle under § 18.210.040(b) and Chapter 12.20 TMC.
Violations & Fines
A fence over the height limit, or one the City Engineer finds obstructs sight distance at an intersection, can be ordered removed as a public traffic hazard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my backyard fence be in Topeka?
Are corner-lot fences taller in Topeka?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Topeka
How Topeka compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Topeka to another location·View the Kansas fence regulations overview
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