Springfield, MO Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- LDC § 36-453(5)-(6)
- Front yard max height
- 4 feet, 50% open
- Side/rear yard max height
- 7 feet
- Permit
- required, no charge, front yard
- Material restriction
- none citywide
Summary
Springfield's general zoning code doesn't dictate what material a residential fence must be: it caps height and openness instead: four feet and 50 percent open in front yards, seven feet elsewhere, with a free permit required up front.
3.Fences not exceeding seven feet in height and which comply with the provisions of subsection (6)....a.Open fences not exceeding 50 percent screening and four feet in height above yard grade shall not be deemed to obstruct the view....d.A building permit, at no charge, shall be required to construct a fence in any required front yard.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 2 | Land Development Code: Supplement 9 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
LDC § 36-453 governs residential fences citywide and regulates height and opacity, not material: any material is allowed unless a district-specific overlay says otherwise. Front-yard fences can't exceed four feet and must stay at least 50 percent open ('open voids') so they don't block sight lines; a building permit, issued at no charge, is required to build one there. Side and rear yard fences can run up to seven feet. Two narrow zoning overlays layer on their own material rules: the Grant Avenue Parkway District limits single-family fences to vegetation, treated wood, wood composite, aluminum, vinyl/PVC, or wrought iron, and the Commercial Street district bans galvanized chain-link while allowing vinyl-coated chain-link in green, black, or brown.
Violations & Fines
Front-yard fences over four feet, or with less than 50 percent open area, violate § 36-453(6); building without the required (free) permit is also a violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fence materials does Springfield allow?
How tall can a front-yard fence be in Springfield?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
Compare Springfield to another location·View the Missouri fence regulations overview
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