Cayuga County, NY Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

Section 132-4B(4) of the Code of Cayuga County exempts installation of fences from the building permit requirement, but only fences which are not part of an enclosure surrounding a swimming pool. Read together with Subsection B(3)'s narrow pool exemption for shallow above-ground pools, the effect is that an ordinary yard fence needs no permit, while a fence built specifically to enclose a swimming pool, whether required as a safety barrier or built as part of the pool installation, falls outside the exemption and requires a building permit under Section 132-4A before construction.

Subsection C makes clear the exemption for ordinary fences is a permit exemption only; the fence must still comply with the applicable Uniform Code and Energy Code provisions even without a permit. Where a permit is required for a pool-enclosure fence, the application under Subsection D must include a description of the proposed work, the Tax Map number and street address of the property, and, where applicable, a site plan showing the fence's location and its distance from lot lines and from other structures. The Code Enforcement Officer reviews the application for compliance and issues the permit, which becomes invalid if work does not start within six months and expires 12 months after issuance.