Elizabeth, NJ Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Barbed/razor wire
- Prohibited on all fences citywide
- Residential fence height
- 6 ft side/rear, 3 ft front
- Applies to
- Residential, commercial and industrial fences alike
- Governing section
- City Code § 17.36.110(C)(5)(e)-(f)
Summary
City Code Section 17.36.110(C)(5)(e)-(f) bars barbed wire or razor wire from any fence or wall material in residential zones, and a separate citywide clause repeats the ban for the entire city, not just houses. No conditional exception or commercial carve-out appears in the fence-material rule.
e....Barbed wire or razor wire may not be used as part of a fence or wall, or as fencing material in any residential zone.f.No barbed or razor wire fences shall be permitted anywhere within the city boundaries.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31).
Full Breakdown
110(C)(5), which set height and material limits for fences and walls by district. Subsection (e) governs residential fences: it caps height at 6 feet in a side or rear yard and 3 feet in a front yard unless the fence is decorative or screened by planting, and within that same residential subsection the code adds a flat material ban on barbed wire or razor wire being used as part of a fence or wall, or as fencing material, in any residential zone. 110(C)(5)(c)-(d) otherwise allow up to 8 or 12 feet.
Because subsection (f) applies citywide rather than by zone, a business or industrial property that is permitted a taller chain-link or wood perimeter fence still cannot top it with barbed or razor wire, a departure from many New Jersey municipalities that carve out an industrial exception for security fencing. The code does not list electric fencing separately in this section; only barbed wire and razor wire are named as prohibited fencing material, meaning an electrified fence is not addressed by this specific provision.
Violations & Fines
A barbed-wire or razor-wire fence is a code violation under the general-penalty chapter, Section 1.12.010, carrying a fine of $100 to $2,000, up to 90 days in county jail, or community service, with each day the fence remains treated as a separate offense. The bureau of zoning can require removal or replacement of noncompliant fencing material before signing off on a certificate of occupancy or zoning permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put barbed wire on top of my fence in Elizabeth?
Does the barbed-wire ban apply to industrial and commercial properties too?
What is the penalty for an illegal barbed-wire fence in Elizabeth?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Elizabeth
Compare Elizabeth to another location·View the New Jersey fence regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.