Wayne, NJ Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Section 134-66 of the Wayne Township Code, Fences and walls, sets the height limits in two parts. In residential districts, subsection A(1) says no fence or wall, nor combination of fences and walls, shall be erected or altered so that it is over 4 feet in height in the front yard and 6 feet in height in the side and rear yards, when measured from existing grade on both sides. That wording means the taller of the two grades counts when a fence sits on a slope. The residential limits do not apply to tennis court fence enclosures regulated in § 134-65 or to commercial agricultural fences, and they do not apply to retaining walls where the wall is retaining soil to the top of the wall.

Tennis court fences have their own standard in § 134-65: they cannot exceed 10 feet in height, the fenced area is limited to 60 feet by 100 feet, and courts and their fences must be set back a minimum of 15 feet from all lot lines.

In nonresidential districts, subsection B(1) bars any fence or wall exceeding four feet in height in a front yard, and subsection B(2) bars any fence or wall exceeding six feet in a side or rear yard. Subsection B(5) extends the same four and six foot limits to dwelling units in a nonresidential zone, and allows a commercial use abutting a residential zone or use to have fences or walls not exceeding six feet. A retaining wall greater than four feet in height must have its construction designed, inspected and certified by a professional engineer.

Corner lots add another cap through the street intersection standards. Under § 134-74.3(C), no fences or any other obstruction nor any planting exceeding 24 inches in height, measured above the elevation of the center line of the road, shall be placed in a sight triangle. The sight triangle distances are 90 feet where a local street intersects a local street, 90 feet on the minor and 200 feet on the major collector, and 90 feet back on minor or collector streets with 300 feet back on an arterial street.