Wilmington, DE Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Barbed/razor wire
- Banned in residential and commercial districts
- Solid fence max height
- 6 feet
- Open fence max height
- 8 feet
- Ban effective date
- January 8, 1988
- Enforced by
- Dept. of Licenses and Inspections
Summary
Wilmington's zoning code bans barbed wire, razor wire, and similar fencing material in every residential and commercial district, and caps solid fences at six feet and open fences at eight feet unless another section requires more.
From and after January 8, 1988, no fence of any kind which is composed in whole or in part of or to which there is or has been added, barbed wire, or razor wire, or any barbed wire type of fencing material shall be permitted in any residential district, any commercial district, any W-3, waterfront low-intensity manufacturing/commercial recreation district, or any W-4, waterfront residential/commercial district.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Wilmington's zoning ordinance regulates fence materials by how much of the fence is solid versus open, and separately bans barbed wire and razor wire fencing outright in residential and commercial districts as well as the W-3 and W-4 waterfront districts, effective January 8, 1988. That barbed-wire material is allowed only in M-1 and M-2 manufacturing districts and the W-1 and W-2 waterfront manufacturing districts, and even there the zoning board of adjustment must approve it if the lot abuts a residential district. The building inspector can also order removal of any fence designed mainly to annoy a neighbor.
Violations & Fines
Violating the fence rules is a misdemeanor: enforced by licenses and inspections, first-offense fines run $250 to $1,000, and repeat offenses climb up to $5,000 or a year in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put barbed wire on my fence in Wilmington?
How tall can a solid fence be in Wilmington?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wilmington
Compare Wilmington to another location·View the Delaware fence regulations overview
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