Fence materials in Bristol County cities follow local zoning bylaws. Wood, vinyl, and wrought iron are standard. Historic districts in New Bedford and Taunton require HDC approval. MGL c. 49 governs 'legal and sufficient' fences.
Each Bristol County city sets fence-material standards through its zoning bylaw. Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton, Attleboro, and Dartmouth allow wood, vinyl, composite, wrought iron, aluminum, and chain-link in residential zones, though chain-link is often restricted in front yards. Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in residential zones countywide. The New Bedford Historic District (whaling-era downtown, Johnny Cake Hill) and Taunton Green Historic District require Historic District Commission review for new fences under MGL c. 40C. New Bedford and Fall River also have National Register districts with federal review triggers. MGL c. 49 §1 defines a 'legal and sufficient' fence as 4+ feet in good repair. Spite fences over 6 feet are barred by MGL c. 49 §21. Finished side must face outward per local bylaws.
Non-compliant materials: code enforcement notice and replacement order. Historic district violations under MGL c. 40C: fines up to $1,000 per offense and removal orders.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Taunton, MA
Taunton adopted a comprehensive noise ordinance (Chapter 315) on November 2, 2021, prohibiting preventable and unnecessary noise. Noise that annoys or distur...
Taunton, MA
Taunton restricts construction, demolition, alteration, and repair of buildings to 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM under Chapter 315. Work outside these hours requires a ...
Taunton, MA
Taunton's noise ordinance Chapter 315 prohibits keeping any animal or bird that causes frequent or long-continued sounds plainly audible within a noise-sensi...
Taunton, MA
Taunton enforces street parking regulations under its traffic ordinances. Parking lot landscaping is required for lots of 10+ spaces under the zoning code. T...
Taunton, MA
Taunton regulates commercial vehicle parking through traffic and zoning ordinances. Commercial vehicles must comply with general parking rules and zoning dis...
Taunton, MA
Taunton's zoning ordinance Chapter 440 regulates off-street parking and driveways. Rear yard parking areas must be at least 5 feet from adjoining property li...
See how Taunton's material restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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