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Washoe County, NV Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Specialty court fence height
Max 10 feet
Court fence setback
5 feet from side/rear line
Specialty fence type
Non-solid, see-through
Entry gate/columns bonus
Up to 18 inches taller
Code section
WCC 110.406.50(c)-(d)

Summary

Unincorporated Washoe County permits standard wood, block and metal fences to code height, plus non-solid see-through specialty fences up to 10 feet for recreational courts, and entry gates/columns that exceed the fence height by up to 18 inches.

City-specific rules exist: Reno has its own material restrictions rules that differ from Washoe County's county-level regulations. If you live in Reno, check the city-specific page instead.

A specialty fence shall only be for the purposes of enclosing a tennis court, racquetball court, basketball court or other court-type recreational activity... The fence may not be greater than ten (10) feet in height... The fence shall not be located closer than five (5) feet to the side or rear property lines.

Full Breakdown

Washoe County Development Code Section 110.406.50(c) permits specialty fences in all regulatory zones for enclosing tennis, racquetball, basketball or other court-type recreational activity (and for exotic animals with an Exotic Animal Board permit). The court must be to the side or rear of the main structure, the fence may not exceed ten (10) feet in height, must be non-solid and see-through, blend with the background, be non-reflective, and sit at least five (5) feet from side or rear property lines. Section 110.406.50(d) allows an entry gate and entry columns in all zones to exceed the adjacent fence height by a maximum of eighteen (18) inches, with lighting fixtures permitted on top of the column above that limit.

Violations & Fines

Specialty fences or entry features exceeding these material and height allowances are Development Code violations subject to county enforcement and corrective permitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build a tall fence around a tennis court?
Yes. A specialty fence for a court-type recreational use may be up to ten (10) feet high if non-solid, see-through, non-reflective, and set five feet from side/rear lines.
Can entry columns be taller than my fence?
Yes. An entry gate and entry columns may exceed the adjacent fence height by up to eighteen (18) inches, and lighting fixtures may sit on top above that.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Washoe County

All Washoe County rules

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Material Restrictions in Cities Across Washoe County