Virginia Beach, VA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- General max height
- 8 feet
- Front yard max
- 4 feet
- Side yard near street (within 10 ft)
- 4 feet
- Setback from right-of-way
- 5 feet minimum
- Permit trigger
- within 30 ft of right-of-way
Summary
Fences and walls citywide max out at 8 feet, drop to 4 feet in required front yards, and shrink further inside street-intersection visibility triangles.
Fences and walls shall not exceed a height of eight (8) feet. Walls and fences may project into or enclose any part of any yard; provided, however, that any fence that projects into or encloses a required front yard shall not exceed a height of four (4) feet, and that any fence or wall which projects into or encloses a side yard adjacent to a street shall not exceed four (4) feet in height when located within ten (10) feet of the right-of-way.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 170 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Virginia Beach's zoning ordinance caps fences and walls at 8 feet anywhere on a lot, but any fence in a required front yard is limited to 4 feet, and a fence in a side yard adjacent to a street is also capped at 4 feet within 10 feet of the right-of-way (through lots get an exception allowing 8 feet at the rear-acting front). No fence may sit closer than 5 feet to a right-of-way line, and within visibility triangles at street and driveway intersections, nothing may block sightlines between 2.5 and 8 feet high. Barbed wire and electrified fences are banned in residential and apartment districts. A permit is required for any fence built within 30 feet of a public right-of-way.
Violations & Fines
Zoning enforcement can require removal or modification of a nonconforming fence; building without the required permit for fences within 30 feet of a right-of-way is a zoning violation subject to correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an 8-foot fence in my front yard?
Do I need a permit for a backyard fence in Virginia Beach?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
How Virginia Beach compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Virginia Beach to another location·View the Virginia fence regulations overview
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