Oklahoma City, OK Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard fence height
- 4 feet, open decorative style only
- Side/rear yard fence height
- 8 feet (10 ft in industrial zones)
- Wood picket spec
- Pickets and gaps max 3.5 inches
- Banned materials citywide
- Barbed, hog, chicken wire (residential)
- Permit
- Building permit required for any fence
Summary
Oklahoma City limits front yard fences to four feet of open decorative material, chain-link, ornamental metal, picket or split rail, while barbed wire, hog wire and chicken wire are banned outside agricultural and industrial zones.
The front yard fence shall be a decorative-type open fence that does not exceed four feet in height. Only chain-link, decorative ornamental metal, picket and split rail fencing shall be permitted.1.For wood picket fencing, the maximum width of the pickets shall be three and one-half inches and the minimum separation of the pickets shall be three and one-half inches.2.Decorative metal fences shall be made of ornamental metal pickets, galvanized steel, aluminum, or similar material having the appearance of decorative wrought iron and shall comply with the following:i.Minimum separation of pickets shall not be less than two and one-half inches.ii.Maximum picket width shall not exceed one inch square.iii.Spiked caps or spears may not be used.(e)Site plans and elevations of the fence shall be submitted for permit review. The proposed fence shall not pose a safety or visibility hazard.(f)Barbed, hog or chicken wire, or single-strand fencing shall not be used, except in the agricultural or industrial zoning districts.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under the zoning code's accessory-structure standards, a front yard fence must be an open decorative type no taller than four feet, built only of chain-link, decorative ornamental metal, wood picket or split rail: wood pickets top out at 3.5 inches wide with 3.5-inch gaps, and metal pickets top out at 1 inch square with 2.5-inch spacing and no spiked caps. Side and rear yard fences reach up to eight feet (ten in industrial zones) but cannot use metal, plastic or plywood sheets, though code-compliant ribbed steel panels are allowed. Barbed wire, hog wire, chicken wire and single-strand fencing are banned citywide except on agricultural or industrial land, and a building permit is required for any fence.
Violations & Fines
Building an out-of-code fence risks permit denial, a stop-work order, or removal by the Development Services Department; unpermitted fences can also be cited as code violations requiring correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a chain-link fence in my front yard in Oklahoma City?
Can I build a metal fence in my backyard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oklahoma City
Compare Oklahoma City to another location·View the Oklahoma fence regulations overview
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Material Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle material restrictions.