Burlington, WI Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Section 315-51C(2)(b) prohibits constructing any fence that conducts electricity, is designed to electrically shock, uses barbed wire, or contains any component designed to cause harm to a person, subject only to the exceptions the code spells out. Subsection C(2)(c) carves out two of those exceptions: underground invisible pet fences are allowed without a permit as long as they sit at least three feet from every property line, and barbed wire may be used at the top of a fence in an industrial district only if the barbed wire and the hardware securing it sit at least 10 feet above the ground and project inward toward the fenced property, away from public or adjoining property.

Subsection C(2)(d) separately bars building a fence out of unsightly or dangerous materials and requires the finished or decorative side of any fence to face the adjoining property rather than the fence owner's own yard. These material restrictions apply on top of the placement and height rules in § 315-51C(1) and the general permit requirement in § 315-51A, and the property owner erecting a fence is solely responsible for making sure it sits on their own property under § 315-51C(5).