Fort Smith, AR Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit needed
- fence over 6 feet
- Permit needed
- masonry wall over 4 feet
- No permit
- fences 6 ft or under
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 7-11, 2011
Summary
Fort Smith only requires a building permit for a residential fence taller than six feet or a masonry wall taller than four feet.
A building permit shall be required for a fence taller than six feet or a masonry wall taller than four feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 14-57 sets Fort Smith's fence permit trigger: any residential fence over six feet, or a masonry wall over four feet, needs a city building permit before it goes up. Fences and masonry walls at or below those heights can be built without a permit application. The section doesn't itself cap how tall a fence may ultimately be, it only decides when the city reviews the plans, and it applies alongside the separate allowed-materials rule in the adjoining Sec. 14-56.
Violations & Fines
Building a fence over six feet or a masonry wall over four feet without the required permit is a code violation citable under the city's general penalty, Sec. 1-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a six-foot fence in Fort Smith?
What if I want to build an eight-foot privacy fence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Smith
Compare Fort Smith to another location·View the Arkansas fence regulations overview
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