Does Minneapolis, MN have its own neighbor fence rules ordinance?

No. Minneapolis, MN does not appear to have a local neighbor fence rules ordinance, Minnesota state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from Minnesota Statutes Chapter 344.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Front/corner-side max height: 4 feet
Interior side/rear max height: 6 feet
Absolute max height: 8 feet anywhere
Property line duty: Owner must locate it
Finished side must face: Neighbor's property

Summary

Minneapolis fence owners must locate the property line themselves before building, face the finished side of the fence toward the neighbor, and stay within height limits set by yard type under the zoning code's Fences article.

Fences may be erected, placed, or maintained along or adjacent to a lot line. The fence owner shall be responsible for properly locating all property lines before construction of any fence.

Source: Minnesota Statutes Chapter 344View official code

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

Minneapolis Zoning Code Article X (Fences) lets a fence sit directly on or adjacent to a shared lot line, but the fence owner, not the city, must correctly locate the property line before building (§ 550.1510). Posts and supporting framework must be erected so the finished side faces the adjoining property, not the builder's own yard (§ 550.1560(3)). Height is capped by location: 4 feet in a required front or corner side yard, 6 feet in interior side and rear yards, and 8 feet as an absolute maximum anywhere on the lot (§ 550.1550). Owners also maintain the strip between the line and their fence (§ 550.1540).

Violations & Fines

Zoning violations are enforced as criminal misdemeanors under § 1.30 or as administrative offenses under Chapter 2; each day a fence stays out of compliance after notice counts as a separate offense (§ 525.740).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which side of my fence must face my neighbor in Minneapolis?

The finished, decorative side. City code requires posts and supporting framework to face the fence owner's own property, so the smooth side faces the neighbor (§ 550.1560).

How tall can a boundary fence be in Minneapolis?

Up to 4 feet in a required front or corner side yard, 6 feet along interior side and rear lot lines, and 8 feet as an absolute maximum anywhere on the lot (§ 550.1550).

Who confirms the property line before a fence goes up?

The fence owner, not the city. Minneapolis zoning code puts that duty on whoever builds the fence, before construction begins (§ 550.1510).

Sources & Official References

[1]Minneapolis Code of Ordinances (Municode)

Other rules in Minneapolis

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Height LimitsSome Restrictions Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions Retaining WallsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Bird ProtectionHeavy Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions

All Minneapolis rules

Compare Minneapolis to another location·View the Minnesota fence regulations overview

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Neighbor Fence Rules in Nearby Cities

How other cities in Hennepin County handle neighbor fence rules.

Bloomington, MN