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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Street yard height (residential)
4 feet maximum
Side/rear yard height (residential)
6 feet maximum
Commercial/industrial yard height
10 feet maximum
Applies to fences
over 30 inches, built after 4/29/2012
Corner vision triangle
no obstruction 2.5-10 ft high

Summary

In Winnebago County towns that adopted Chapter 23 zoning, a fence over 30 inches built after April 29, 2012 is capped at 4 feet in the street yard and 6 feet in side and rear yards for residential districts.

City-specific rules exist: Neenah, and Oshkosh have their own height limits rules that differ from Winnebago County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

(2) Height. The top of a fence shall not exceed the height listed in Exhibit 8-9, provided a fence used to enclose horses shall not exceed a height of 5 feet.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Section 23.8-456 governs any fence over 30 inches built after April 29, 2012 on a parcel zoned residential, mixed-use, commercial, or industrial. Exhibit 8-9 caps residential and mixed-use fences at 4 feet in the street yard and 6 feet in the side and rear yards; commercial and industrial fences may reach 10 feet. Height is measured from the ground to the top of the fence material, and no fence may stand between 2.5 and 10 feet inside a corner's vision clearance triangle. The chapter only applies in towns that adopted county zoning under Wis. Stat. § 59.69, and lakefront or low-lying parcels can face a stricter Chapter 26/27 overlay setback too.

Violations & Fines

Violating Chapter 23 draws a forfeiture under § 23.14-9: a citation costs $300 (or $200 for missing a required permit) plus court costs, with each day counted as a separate offense and jail for unpaid forfeitures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can a residential fence be in Winnebago County?
Under § 23.8-456, a fence over 30 inches in a residential district is capped at 4 feet in the street yard and 6 feet in the side and rear yards, measured from ground to fence top.
Does county zoning apply to every fence in Winnebago County?
No. Chapter 23 only takes effect in towns whose board adopted county zoning under Wis. Stat. § 59.69, and it never applies inside a city or village.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Winnebago County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsRetaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsMaterial RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Winnebago County rules

How Winnebago County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Winnebago County to another location·View the Wisconsin fence regulations overview

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Height Limits in Cities Across Winnebago County

Neenah, WIOshkosh, WI