Wayne, NJ Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

The material rules for fences in Wayne Township are in § 134-66, Fences and walls, of Chapter 134. In residential districts, subsection A(2) says there shall be no cyclone or chain-link fences permitted in the front yard, and subsection A(3) says barbed wire shall be prohibited. The front yard chain-link ban is limited to the front yard: the section prints no matching ban for side or rear yards, where the 6 foot height limit in subsection A(1) governs instead.

Subsection A(5) adds an appearance rule. If both sides of a fence or freestanding wall are not identical, the finished or preferred side shall be required to face the street and abutting properties, as applicable. The same rule appears for nonresidential districts in subsection B(8).

Nonresidential districts follow a different approach to chain-link. Subsection B(3) does not ban it: any cyclone type (chain-link) fencing shall be substantially screened from public view with landscaping. Subsection B(4) requires all fences to be designed as integrated parts of the overall architectural and site design, and subsection B(6) repeats the barbed wire prohibition. A commercial use abutting a residential zone or use is held to fences or walls not exceeding six feet under subsection B(5).

Fences that hold back soil have an additional standard. Subsections A(4) and B(7) require all retaining walls greater than four feet in height to have their construction designed, inspected and certified by a professional engineer, and subsection B(9) repeats the engineering requirement for all retaining walls 4 feet in height or greater.

Tennis court enclosures are carved out of the height limits and handled under § 134-65, which caps tennis court fences at 10 feet in height.