Plymouth, MN Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Plymouth treats barbed wire, electrically charged fencing and razor wire as restricted materials rather than an outright citywide ban. Under City Code Section 21130.01, Subd. 6(b), a property owner must obtain an interim use permit under Section 21020 before installing barbed wire or an electrically charged fence, or a razor wire fence, and the City evaluates the request against the standards in Subd. 6(c): the fence's placement, height or design cannot create a safety hazard on or near a public street, and cannot create a safety problem or hurt adjoining properties. Two categories are carved out of the interim use permit requirement entirely: agricultural uses located in the FRD (Future Restricted Development) District, and essential service structures in every zoning district, both of which may install these materials without the extra permit.

A separate materials rule in Subd. 4(c)(1) restricts more common but still substandard fencing: chicken wire, welded wire, plastic deer fence netting, snow fence, branches, or other materials never intended for fencing cannot be used unless the applicant shows a high degree of architectural quality and receives the Zoning Administrator's prior approval. Chain link fencing is allowed but must include a top rail with the barbed ends turned toward the ground under Subd. 4(c)(3), and metal T- or U-posts cannot support a fence except for agricultural uses in the FRD District under Subd. 4(c)(4). Fences must also match color on both sides, and bright neon or fluorescent colors are barred outright except for permitted temporary fencing, under Subd. 4(c)(5).