Waltham zoning sets fence height limits at 6 feet in rear and side yards, and 4 feet in front yards, applied citywide with some exceptions.
Under Waltham Zoning Ordinance, fences in residential front yards cannot exceed 4 feet in height, while side and rear yard fences can reach 6 feet without a special permit. Corner lots have additional sight-triangle rules at intersections. Fences taller than 6 feet require a building permit and may need Zoning Board approval. Decorative arbors and pergolas attached to fences may be exempt if spaced properly. Brandeis and Bentley campus edges often exceed these limits through institutional exemptions. Commercial and industrial zones along the 128 corridor permit taller security fencing up to 8 feet with permits.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Waltham, MA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle height limits.
See how Waltham's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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