Meridian, ID Fence Regulations: Permit Requirements (2026)

The City of Meridian sets fence-permit requirements through its adopted building codes and its Unified Development Code. In Ordinance 20-1905, Meridian amended the International Residential Code (now Meridian City Code section 10-1-3) so that 'fences not over six feet (6') high may be exempted from the requirement for a building permit in the absence of any other applicable land use regulations governing the installation, height, type, or other aspect thereof.' In other words, a typical residential fence 6 feet or shorter generally does not need a building permit, but it must still satisfy the Unified Development Code's fence standards in section 11-3A-7, which govern height by location, open-vision versus closed-vision design, prohibited materials, maintenance, and clear-vision sight triangles. The city's planning guidance notes that a separate building permit is required when a fence is erected independently of a principal building or use permit, so a standalone fence project may still require a permit application even when the height exemption applies. Fences taller than 6 feet, or fences subject to additional land-use regulations (for example along pathways, open space, or in special districts), require review. Property owners should verify their fence location relative to easements and utility access, and confirm clear-vision requirements at corners and driveways, before installing.