The City of Auburn requires a building permit for fences over 7 feet tall and for retaining walls over 4 feet. Permits are handled by Inspection Services (Codes Enforcement) at 171 North Ross Street. Applications, a site plan showing setbacks and impervious surface, and plans are submitted through the Auburn Permit Portal.
According to the City of Auburn Inspection Services 'Do I Need a Permit?' guidance, a building permit is required for "Fences over 7 feet tall." Fences 7 feet or shorter generally do not require a permit, though they must still comply with the Zoning Ordinance (bufferyards, corridor-overlay limits, sight distance) and may require a permit if combined with a retaining wall. The City's combined Residential Permit Application for Retaining Walls/Fences is processed by Codes Enforcement at 171 North Ross Street (334-501-3176). The application asks for the height of the fence/wall, fence type, construction cost, and whether the property is in a flood plain or historic district. A site plan is required showing setbacks to property lines on the front, rear and each side, plus total proposed impervious surface area, easements, and flood zones. Auburn adopts the 2021 International Residential Code (with Alabama amendments) and related I-Codes effective January 1, 2022, which govern fence and wall construction permits. Documents are emailed to plans@auburnalabama.org or submitted via the Auburn Permit Portal (webgis.auburnalabama.org/permits), where applicants can pay fees, track status, and schedule inspections. Contractors must hold a current State of Alabama and City of Auburn license.
Constructing a fence over 7 feet or a regulated retaining wall without the required permit may result in a stop-work order, code-enforcement citation, fines, and an order to remove or bring the work into compliance. Work in a flood plain or historic district without approval carries additional penalties.
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