Concord, NC Fence Regulations: Permit Requirements (2026)

Concord separates fence building-permit requirements from zoning compliance. A building permit is not required for a standard residential fence 7 feet in height or lower, consistent with North Carolina building-code practice; building-permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback or plat requirements. Even when no building permit is needed, the fence must satisfy the Concord Development Ordinance (CDO): the four-foot front-yard height limit, the prohibition on fences in the sight triangle, and the material restrictions. Barbed wire fences and above-ground electrified fences are prohibited in all zoning districts (underground pet-containment fences are allowed), and fences of debris, junk, rolled plastic, sheet metal, plywood or other waste materials are prohibited. Homeowners are advised to confirm zoning, setback and easement compliance with the City of Concord Planning Department before installing a fence. Properties within a designated local historic district must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission before installing or replacing a fence, regardless of height or building-permit status. Because the CDO is a permissive ordinance and placement rules can be detailed, contacting the Planning Department or Permit Center before construction is the safest course.