Sterling Heights, MI Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

All fences and privacy screens shall be of an ornamental type, constructed of either metal, ornamental 9 to 11½ gauge wire, wrought iron, wood or other durable ornamental material similar in nature and meeting performance standard criteria set forth in the Building Code. A decorative fence or privacy screen constructed of any of the preceding materials shall be permitted, provided the Building Official determines that the proposed fence is of structurally sound construction. All supporting posts, cross-members and protruding bolts, screws and/or hardware of sight-obscuring fences and privacy screens shall be inside the lot and face toward the interior of the property of the person who erects, constructs or causes to have constructed the sight-obscuring fence or privacy screen. All fences abutting a public street shall be erected with the supporting posts, cross-members, screws and/or hardware facing the property whose owner is responsible for securing the permit. In addition, masonry pillars used in conjunction with a fence made of approved materials shall be permitted upon the same terms and conditions as the fence itself. In appropriate circumstances a masonry wall may be permitted upon terms and conditions set by the Board of Ordinance Appeals. (1978 Code, § 12-5; Ord. No. 211, § 1, 7-24-79; Ord. No. 211-C, § 1, 11-5-80; Ord. No. 211-D, § 2, 11-4-92; Ord. No. 211-E, § 1, 11-4-98; Ord. No. 211-F, § 1, 11-3-99)