Medford, OR Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential chain-link trigger
- Permit required over 8 feet
- Other residential fencing trigger
- Permit required over 7 feet
- Commercial fence trigger
- Permit required over 7 feet
- Fee basis
- Based on project valuation, City fee schedule
- Max civil penalty
- $5,000, or $1,000/day continuing
- Appeal deadline
- 10 business days to Unified Board of Appeals
Summary
Medford requires a building permit for new or replacement fences once they cross specific height limits: over seven feet for commercial fences, eight feet for residential chain-link, and seven feet for every other residential fencing type. The Building Safety Division issues the permit and bases the fee on project valuation under the City's adopted fee schedule set out in Medford Municipal Code § 9.560.
Pursuant to and in conformance with Medford Code Sections 10.731 through 10.733, the following shall be prohibited: (1) Electrified fencing, except as regulated by Section 9.561; (2) Barbed wire, except at a level of six feet or more from the ground; (3) Broken glass, barbs or similar hazardous material imbedded in the fence or wall. All new commercial fences exceeding seven feet in height; eight feet in height for residential chainlink fencing; and seven feet for other fencing types, including replacing existing fences, require a building permit with the fee based on the valuation and current City of Medford fee schedule. An electrical permit is required for electrified fences.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-32, passed May 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
560 sets the fence permit trigger by height and fence type rather than one blanket rule. A residential chain-link fence needs a building permit only once it exceeds eight feet; every other residential fencing material (wood, vinyl, wrought iron) trips the permit requirement at seven feet; and any new commercial fence over seven feet needs one too, including when an existing fence is being replaced at that height. The Building Safety Division calculates the permit fee from the project's valuation under the City's current fee schedule, the same method used for other minor building permits.
561), barbed wire strung below six feet off the ground, and broken glass, barbs, or similar hazardous material embedded in the fence or wall. 561 further requires a Building Safety Department permit, restricts electrified fences to certain commercial and industrial zones (C-C, C-H, I-L, I-G, I-H) or livestock control uses, caps the charge as non-lethal under IEC Standard 60335-2-76, and requires bilingual warning signage at intervals no greater than thirty feet. 662.
Violations & Fines
Building without the required fence permit is a code violation under Medford Municipal Code § 9.660: the Building Official can impose an administrative civil penalty of up to $5,000, or up to $1,000 per day for a continuing violation, after issuing a Notice of Civil Violation with at least five days to correct. A cited owner may appeal a Notice of Civil Penalty to the Unified Board of Appeals within ten business days under § 9.662.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a 6-foot backyard fence in Medford?
Is barbed wire allowed on a Medford fence?
What extra permits does an electrified fence need?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Medford
Compare Medford to another location·View the Oregon fence regulations overview
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