Washington, DC Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Fence materials in DC are regulated primarily by 11 DCMR Subtitle C section 1404 (Fences and Walls) within the zoning code. In residential (R) zones, permitted materials include wood (stockade, board-on-board, picket), wrought iron, decorative metal, brick, stone, masonry, vinyl, and composite. Chain-link is allowed but is discouraged in front yards and is often prohibited on street-facing lot lines in historic districts. Barbed wire, razor wire, and electric fences are prohibited in residential zones per 11-C DCMR 1404.7 (permitted only in commercial/industrial with special approval). Fence height is capped at 7 feet (4 feet in front yards) without a zoning variance. Any fence in one of DC's 60-plus historic districts or on a landmark property triggers HPRB review under DC Code section 6-1101 et seq., the Historic Landmark and Historic District Protection Act. The Historic Preservation Office (within the Office of Planning) reviews applications for consistency with district design guidelines — Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, Mount Pleasant, LeDroit Park, and Anacostia all have published design guidelines that specify appropriate materials (typically wood picket or wrought iron consistent with the period of significance). Building permits from the Department of Buildings are required for most new fences, and HPRB sign-off is a prerequisite in historic districts.