Hamburg Village, NY Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

Section 250-24.10(A) of the Village of Hamburg Code is the facing rule that decides which side of a fence a neighbor sees. Any fence must have its most pleasant or decorative side facing the adjoining lot or public right-of-way. All posts must be in the applicant's yard, which keeps the structure on the builder's own side of the boundary, unless the posts or supports are an integral part of the decorative design of the fence.

The facing rule works with the rest of § 250-24.10. A permit must first be obtained from the Village Building Inspector before any work starts. Height is three feet in a front yard area and six feet in a side or rear yard area. Barbed wire, spikes, chipped glass, electricity or similar materials are barred from any fence, with a conditional use permit from the Village Board available on listed findings. Under § 250-24.7(B), no fence or planting is permitted within one foot of the street line, and fences over three feet in height stay out of the area within 15 feet of a driveway's intersection with the street line.

Neighbors have a direct enforcement channel. Under § 250-18.3, any person can file a written complaint with the Building Inspector, who records it and immediately investigates. For complaints about the height or location of a structure, the complaint must be filed with the Building Inspector within two years of the structure's completion, or enforcement is barred. The Code Enforcement Officer then serves a notice of violation on the owner, operator or occupant under § 250-18.2. The rules are Village of Hamburg rules; the surrounding Town of Hamburg has a separate code.