Green Bay, WI Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Barbed wire
- Banned on residential lots
- Buffer from ROW
- 4 ft from street, sidewalk, alley
- Approved materials
- Block, brick, stone, wood, iron, chain link
- Enforced by
- Zoning Administrator, City of Green Bay
Summary
Green Bay bans barbed wire and other dangerous fencing materials on residential lots and within four feet of streets, sidewalks, or alleys under the zoning code.
No fence or other structure containing barbed wire or other dangerous material shall be placed on residentially zoned property or within four feet of any public street, sidewalk, or alley.e.Fences shall be constructed so that the structural supporting elements are located on the side which is visible to the fence owner (inside) so that the structure/supporting elements of the fence are less visible to adjoining properties and public rights-of-way.(3)Breaks for connections. Breaks in the length of a perimeter wall shall be made to provide for required pedestrian connections to the perimeter of a site or to adjacent development. (Code 1984, § 13.521; Ord. No. 35-10)
Secs. 44-451—44-468. - Reserved.
Full Breakdown
Section 44-450(2) of the zoning code governs fence materials citywide. Approved fencing includes decorative block, brick, stone, treated wood, wrought iron, chain link, and plastic. Barbed wire or any other structure containing dangerous material is barred from residential zoning districts and from within four feet of any public street, sidewalk, or alley. Fences also cannot use sharp or pointed pickets, hedges must stay trimmed to the property they're planted on, and structural supports must face the fence owner's own yard rather than the neighbor's side.
Violations & Fines
Fences that violate the material, location, or height rules under §44-450 are zoning code violations; the Zoning Administrator can order the fence corrected or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a barbed wire fence in Green Bay?
What fence materials does Green Bay allow?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Green Bay
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Material Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Brown County handle material restrictions.