Blaine, MN Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Blaine's published fence rules in BZO 33.08 focus on placement and quality rather than an enumerated list of prohibited materials. The ordinance requires that fencing material such as lumber, pickets, and similar materials be placed on the side of the fence facing the street or adjacent property, so the finished face is outward, and that every fence be constructed in a workmanlike manner and maintained in reasonable repair. The City's Residential Guide and Fences page do not state a citywide ban on specific materials such as barbed wire or electric fencing in the residential fence guidance reviewed; rather, the City emphasizes that some residential developments and homeowners' associations impose additional requirements regarding the location and materials of fences, or may prohibit fences entirely. Because of this, the controlling material restriction for a given property is often the development covenant or HOA rule rather than a general code provision. Owners should verify both the zoning requirements and any neighborhood covenants before selecting fence materials, and confirm specifics with the Planning Department at 763-717-2748 or Building Inspections at 763-784-6700. Because the City code reviewed does not list specific prohibited materials, no banned-material claim is asserted here beyond the workmanlike-construction and finished-side standards.