Walworth County, WI Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Chapter 74's use regulations set the fence rules that apply in the towns under Walworth County zoning. Section 74-38(3) allows fences to sit on the property line itself, but caps height at six feet in the side yard, rear yard and street yard, and requires at least two feet of clearance from any existing right-of-way. At a street or alley intersection, the ordinance carves out a triangular no-obstruction zone: no fence can rise above two and a half feet measured above the mean centerline roadway grade within the triangle formed by the two intersecting right-of-way lines and a line connecting points 50 feet back from the corner on each.

Fences running along a freeway get a taller allowance, up to ten feet, still built on the property line. Entrance pillars flanking a driveway are treated separately: they can go up to six feet tall and two feet wide, provided they stay at least two feet off any right-of-way. Open security fencing, such as woven wire or wrought iron, can rise above six feet, up to a ten-foot maximum, everywhere except residential and conservation districts, again keeping two feet off the right-of-way. Solid screening fences in business, industrial and park districts are allowed up to ten feet but must sit at least 25 feet from any right-of-way and ten feet from a property line, with a further exception carved out for salvage yards. Agricultural fences in the county's agricultural and conservation districts fall under Wis. ch. 90 rather than this section.