Ascension Parish, LA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- UDC §17-2082-B(E)
- Allowed materials
- stone, brick, stucco, wood, vinyl, metal, some chain link
- Banned materials
- chicken wire, plywood, corrugated metal
- Barbed wire
- banned unless Director approves
- Electric fences
- banned except agricultural use
- Chain link limit
- not on arterial road frontage
- Penalty
- $50-$500 fine or up to 30 days jail
Summary
UDC Section 17-2082-B(E) lists the fencing materials allowed in unincorporated Ascension Parish: natural stone, brick, stucco, wood, vinyl or plastic fencing, decorative concrete block, metal such as wrought iron, and chain link away from arterial road frontage. It separately bans chicken wire, plywood, corrugated metal, barbed wire without director approval, and electrically-charged fences outside agricultural use.
E.Materials.1.Fencing materials shall be compatible with the overall design of the principal building and site landscape. Acceptable materials include:a.Natural stone;b.Brick;c.Stucco;d.Wood;e.Plastic and vinyl if manufactured for the purposes of fencing;f.Decorative concrete block;g.Metal, such as wrought iron; and/orh.Chain link, except for along frontages facing an arterial as designated in the Major Street Plan.2.The following fencing materials are prohibited:a.Chicken wire along a property perimeter, except for those used for internal runs and personal gardens;b.Chain link on frontages facing an arterial as designated in the Major Street Plan;c.Plywood;d.Corrugated metal;e.Barbed wire, unless approved by the Director; andf.Electrically-charged fences, except for agricultural purposes.
Full Breakdown
Section 17-2082-B(E), added to the UDC in 2022, requires fencing materials to be compatible with the design of the principal building and site landscape. The approved list covers natural stone, brick, stucco, wood, plastic or vinyl fencing manufactured for that purpose, decorative concrete block, metal such as wrought iron, and chain link, though chain link is only allowed away from frontages on roads designated arterials on the Major Street Plan. The prohibited list in E(2) is specific: chicken wire along a property perimeter (except for internal runs and personal gardens), chain link facing an arterial, plywood, corrugated metal, barbed wire unless the Director approves it, and electrically-charged fences except for agricultural purposes.
These material rules apply parish-wide to new and existing development, with one carve-out: fences built of three-wire, split-rail, or other water-permeable materials are exempt from the section entirely in the Rural (R) and Conservation (C) districts. 00 fence permit from the Building Department before construction, and the section separately bans fences and walls inside a required drainage servitude or corner sight triangle regardless of what material is used. The materials list works alongside the section's stated purpose of enhancing the visual appearance of the built environment, keeping new fencing visually compatible with surrounding properties, and protecting drainage and public safety, so a chain-link fence facing Airline Highway or another arterial does not comply even though chain link is otherwise permitted on non-arterial lots.
Violations & Fines
Installing a prohibited material, such as barbed wire without Director approval, an electrically-charged residential fence, or chain link facing an arterial, violates UDC Section 17-2082-B(E) and the parish's general zoning penalty at Section 17-2090(W): a fine of $50.00 to $500.00, up to 30 days in jail, or both, with each day counted separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put up a chain-link fence in unincorporated Ascension Parish?
Is barbed wire fencing allowed?
Can I install an electric fence around my property?
Are plywood or corrugated metal fences allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ascension Parish
Compare Ascension Parish to another location·View the Louisiana fence regulations overview
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