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Fishers, IN Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Key Facts

Building permit required?
No. UDO Sec. 6.18.1
Must still comply with
All of UDO Article 6.18
Accessory structures (sheds) by contrast
Require a permit. UDO Sec. 6.2.1
Easement / ROW
Fence may not encroach (Sec. 6.18.2(A))
Department
Fishers Planning & Zoning

Summary

Fishers does NOT require a building permit to build a fence or wall. UDO Sec. 6.18.1 states plainly that walls and fences do not require a building permit, but they must comply with all standards in Article 6.18. So a fence is permit-free, yet still has to meet height, openness, material, vision-clearance, and waterway-setback rules.

Walls and fences do not require a building permit, but they must comply with the requirements of this Article.

Full Breakdown

Unlike many neighboring jurisdictions, Fishers exempts fences and walls from the building permit process. UDO Sec. ' This is a meaningful distinction: a homeowner can install a conforming fence without applying to the building department, but the fence still must satisfy every standard in Sec. 2, the height table, the front-yard openness requirement, the prohibition on barbed/electrified wire, the finished-side rule, the 15-foot waterway setback, and the vision-clearance triangle. ), which under UDO Sec. ' Property owners should also confirm there is no homeowners' association (HOA) covenant or recorded easement (drainage or utility) that restricts a fence, because the UDO bars fences from encroaching into the right-of-way or into easements that prohibit them (Sec. 2(A)). When in doubt, contact the City of Fishers Planning & Zoning Department before building.

Violations & Fines

Because no permit is issued, enforcement is complaint- and inspection-driven under UDO Chapter 11. A fence that violates the height, material, location, or vision-clearance standards can be cited regardless of the fact that no permit was required; the owner may be ordered to modify or remove it. Building a fence in a drainage/utility easement or the public right-of-way can also force removal at the owner's expense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build a fence in Fishers?
No. UDO Sec. 6.18.1 states that walls and fences do not require a building permit. However, the fence must comply with all of UDO Article 6.18, including height limits, front-yard openness, material restrictions, and the vision-clearance triangle.
Does a shed need a permit even if a fence doesn't?
Yes. Fishers treats them differently. Fences are permit-exempt under Sec. 6.18.1, but accessory structures such as sheds and detached garages require a building permit under UDO Sec. 6.2.1 unless otherwise specified.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Fishers

All Fishers rules

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