Provo, UT Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

Provo City Code 14.34.500(1) sets the citywide permit trigger for fences in the R1, RC, VLDR, LDR, MDR, HDR, CR, NMU and MU zones: structural fences seven (7) feet or less in height do not require a building permit, while structural fences over seven (7) feet do require one from the Building Inspection Division before construction. The no-permit threshold applies regardless of location on the lot, but the separate height limits in 14.34.500(1)(a)-(d) still cap what is legal in the front, side and rear yards even when no permit is needed.

The same subsection layers on a safety and materials standard that applies whether or not a permit is required. Any structural or vegetative fence must not create a sight-distance hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic, a determination the Provo City Traffic Engineer makes using the clear-vision-area rules in Section 14.34.100. Fencing materials are restricted to lumber, vinyl, chain-link, masonry, wrought iron and decorative metal, vegetation, or similar recognized fencing materials; pallets, scrap metal, tarps and other non-fencing materials are flatly not permitted, regardless of height or permit status. Barbed wire fencing is carved out to a separate standard in Section 9.14.020. Finally, the section imposes an ongoing maintenance duty: any fence, wall, gate, or hedge kept in a state of deterioration or disrepair rising to a nuisance or hazard to persons or property must be repaired or replaced, which gives code enforcement a basis to act on a rotting or collapsing fence even if it was legally built and never needed a permit in the first place.