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

Chapter 23 (Town/County Zoning) of the Winnebago County General Code, Section 23.8-456, governs fence height, location, and permitting in towns under county zoning. Maximum heights vary by zoning district: in residential and mixed-use districts, the street yard limit is 4 feet within 30 feet of the road right-of-way (with 6 feet allowed thereafter for the side/rear portion of the front yard); side and rear yards in residential and mixed-use districts allow up to 6 feet. In commercial and industrial districts, fences may reach 10 feet in any yard. Vertical supports may not extend more than 24 inches above the highest point of the fence, and the fence width itself may not exceed 14 inches (vertical supports up to 24 inches). All non-decorative posts, horizontal supports, and cross-members must be oriented inward to the lot. Fences in a street yard setback may not exceed 50 percent opacity (e.g., chain link); other fences may be solid. Location rules require the fence to sit at least 2 feet from any road right-of-way and at least 75 feet from the ordinary high water mark of a navigable body of water; fences within a drainage easement must not restrict storm-water flow. A zoning permit is required for fence construction; the site plan must include location, dimensions, and height(s). A permit is generally not required for two 8-foot or shorter sections. Special standards apply to fencing around swimming pools and sport courts, around horse enclosures, on slopes, and on properties abutting different zoning districts. Wisconsin's general fence statute (Wis. Stat. ch. 90) governs partition fences between agricultural neighbors and is administered by town fence viewers.