Wichita prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, concertina wire, and electrified fencing in residential zoning districts. Acceptable materials include wood, vinyl, masonry, decorative metal, and chain link. Industrial and agricultural districts allow barbed wire above 6 feet under certain conditions. Materials must be maintained and not pose a hazard to public safety.
The Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code restricts fence materials based on zoning district. In all residential districts (SF-5, SF-6, SF-20, TF-3, MF-18, MF-29), prohibited materials include barbed wire, razor wire, concertina wire, electrified wire, and any fence designed to cause injury. Acceptable residential materials are wood (cedar, redwood, treated pine), vinyl/PVC, masonry (brick, stone, block), decorative wrought iron or aluminum, and chain link with or without privacy slats. Chain link in front yards is generally permitted but discouraged by some HOAs. In industrial (LI, GI) and agricultural districts, barbed wire is allowed at the top of a fence at least 6 feet tall, set back from the property line, and angled inward. Electric fences for livestock are permitted in agricultural districts under Kansas right-to-farm protections. Salvaged materials, pallets, and temporary fencing left in place more than 30 days may be cited as nuisance under Wichita Municipal Code. Fences must be maintained in good repair; sagging, broken, or leaning sections that pose a hazard or attract code complaints must be repaired or removed within the timeframe specified in a city notice.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Wichita code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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