Brunswick County, NC Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Barbed/razor wire
- Banned except RR livestock use
- Electric fences
- Banned except RR livestock use
- RR barbed-wire strand height
- 6 feet minimum above grade
- Flammable materials
- Prohibited all districts
- Spike-topped fences
- Prohibited except security institutions
- Coverage
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Brunswick County, North Carolina bans barbed or razor wire and electrified fences in every zoning district unless they enclose livestock, and only in the RR Rural Low Density Residential district even for that livestock exception. Flammable fence materials like paper, cloth or canvas, and metal spikes, are also prohibited countywide.
A.The following types of fences are permitted in all zoning districts:1.Ornamental iron;2.Vinyl or similar material;3.Chain-link or woven wire (although the use of chain link fences in yards fronting on public streets is strongly discouraged); and4.Wood or similar material. ... C.The following types of fences are prohibited in all zoning districts:1.Fences constructed primarily of barbed or razor wire, when not for the purpose of enclosing livestock.2.Fences carrying electrical current, when not for the purpose of enclosing livestock;3.Fences constructed in whole or in part of readily flammable material such as paper, cloth or canvas;4.Fences topped with barbed wire or metal spikes except those serving an institution requiring a security fence for public safety purposes;
Full Breakdown
A permits ornamental iron, vinyl or similar material, chain-link or woven wire, and wood or similar material in every zoning district, though the ordinance notes that chain-link fencing in yards fronting a public street is strongly discouraged. B carves out a narrow exception only in the RR zoning district: fences built primarily of barbed or razor wire are allowed there if specifically used to enclose livestock, provided any barbed-wire top strand sits at least six feet above grade with vertical supports slanting inward away from the property line, and electrified fences are likewise allowed in RR only when specifically enclosing livestock.
C prohibits barbed or razor wire fencing, electrified fencing, fences built in whole or part of readily flammable material such as paper, cloth or canvas, and fences topped with barbed wire or metal spikes, except spike-topped fences serving an institution that requires a security fence for public safety. 2, which require a finished side to face off-site, bar any post-May 1, 2007 fence or wall from encroaching on a neighboring property line, and require fences and walls to be designed to withstand hurricane events. The material restrictions apply only in the unincorporated county, not inside Leland, Southport, Oak Island or Brunswick County's other incorporated towns, each of which sets its own fencing code.
Violations & Fines
Installing a barbed-wire, razor-wire or electrified fence outside the RR livestock exception, or building a fence from flammable material or topped with spikes without a qualifying security use, is a UDO violation. The Zoning Administrator can order correction, then impose a $100 civil penalty for each day the violation continues under Section 9.11.9.C, or pursue a misdemeanor charge under Section 9.11.9.D carrying a fine up to $500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put up a barbed wire fence in Brunswick County?
Are electric fences allowed?
What fence materials are always allowed?
Does the material ban apply inside Oak Island or Calabash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brunswick County
Compare Brunswick County to another location·View the North Carolina fence regulations overview
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