Royal Oak, MI Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Chapter 323 of the Royal Oak City Code, adopted by the City Commission in 1991 and rewritten in its entirety on October 10, 2022 by Ordinance No. 2022-06, governs fence and privacy-screen construction citywide. Section 323-3G sets the material standard: fence and privacy-screen materials, apart from fasteners such as bolts, screws and nails, must be identical or of a similar type, or otherwise 'reasonably compatible' in the judgment of the Chief Building Inspector, and every material used must be approved by the Chief Building Official before it goes into the ground.

Old or used materials cannot be reused in any fence or privacy screen unless the Chief Building Inspector finds them reasonably sound. The chapter does not list specific banned materials such as barbed wire or electrified fencing; instead it leaves the compatibility and soundness call to the Chief Building Inspector case by case, meaning approval turns on inspection rather than a fixed materials list. A fence permit from the Building Department is required under Section 323-6 before any material goes up, and the Chief Building Inspector may inspect an installed fence under Section 323-5 to confirm it meets the compatibility standard; an owner who disagrees with a rejection can appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals and request a waiver under Section 323-5D and 323-5E. All fences must also comply with the site plan approved for the property and with the City's Zoning Chapter 770.