Bergenfield, NJ Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Borough Code § 186-45 lists specific materials that cannot be used in fence construction anywhere in Bergenfield. Subsection E prohibits barbed wire, spines, chipped glass, or other similar devices from being used in conjunction with or as part of any fence or retaining wall constructed or maintained within the Borough, a flat ban that applies to residential, business, and industrial properties alike with no exception carved out for security use. Subsection F separately bars the use of canvas or cloth for fences outright. These material bans sit alongside the section's other structural requirements: every fence must be erected within the property lines with no encroachment on any public right-of-way, and all fences must be kept in a safe, sound, and upright condition.

If the Construction Official finds a fence unsafe on inspection, the owner gets written notice of the specific findings and 15 days to repair or remove it. Because material and height rules live in the same section, a property owner replacing an old chain-link fence with something taller or different in material still needs a Construction Official permit if the new fence exceeds two feet six inches, and that permit application must include a sketch on a copy of the property survey showing the proposed fence's location and dimensions.