Bloomfield, NJ Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Bloomfield Township regulates what a fence is made of in two places: § 315-30(E)(3), the general regulations for fences and walls, and § 315-43, the Fences section of the zoning article. Under § 315-30(E)(3)(c), no fence or wall can be constructed with barbed wire, metal spikes or other such dangerous material, or built in a manner dangerous to animals or humans. Subsection (a) adds that no fence or wall can constitute a hazard to traffic or safety, and subsection (e) bars nonstandard materials that could be considered makeshift, create an eyesore or cause an annoyance.

Section 315-43(F) repeats the safety test for the fence itself: no fence can be erected that would create a hazard by its manner of construction or its materials, or that could cause injury due to jagged end surfaces, spikes or points. Section 315-43(G) repeats the ban on nonstandard materials. The front yard carries the tightest limits. Section 315-43(I) prohibits solid fences in any front yard, requires any front yard fence to have a minimum of 60% open construction, and says chain link, rail and wire mesh fences are not permitted in any front yard. In the R-1A Zone no fences can be erected in the front yard setback area. Open construction is measured by dividing the total area of solid elements of a fence by the total area of the fence.

Section 315-30(E)(1) sorts fence types into Solid (90% or more solid), Semi-Open (25% up to 90%) and Open (up to 25%), and it counts translucent, transparent or clear plastic or similar materials as solid elements. A private swimming pool must also have a fence enclosure that complies with applicable building codes and Chapter 508, Swimming Pools. The administrative officer enforces § 315-43.