Cocoa, FL Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Appendix A, Article XIII, Section 5(d) of the Cocoa Code of Ordinances sets out the materials and design standards that apply to every fence and wall in the city, listed in the Fence and Wall Bulk Regulations table. Under the 'Prohibited materials' category, the code bars broken glass, chicken wire, concrete test cylinders, corrugated metal, loose materials, plastic slats, razor wire, rubble, scrap metal, sheet metal, signs, or any other similar materials from being used in constructing a fence or wall, in every zoning district.

Barbed wire receives its own line item in the same table: it is marked prohibited in residential, commercial and industrial zoning districts, with a single carve-out for the M-2 Manufacturing and Industrial district. There, barbed wire is allowed only as single or double 3-strand outriggers and extension arms, installed at roughly a 45-degree angle at the top of the fence or wall, and only if it sits at least 6 feet above the established grade; it may not be used along any property line adjacent to residential zoning or future land use.

Chain link fencing is separately restricted: in residential districts it may only be located behind the front of the principal structure, and where installed it must have top rails with no exposed points, wires or prongs. In the M-1 district, electrified chain-link fencing is permitted only by special exception under Appendix A, Article XI, Section 16(C)(5), while electrified fencing is permitted outright in the M-2 district subject to the safety conditions in Section 5(e)(11), including a non-electrified six-foot painted perimeter fence and posted warning signs at every 100-foot interval.