Revere, MA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

Revere's zoning title treats a fence the same as a building for permitting purposes. Section 17.08.840 defines 'Structure' as 'a combination of materials assembled at a fixed location requiring a permit to erect, place or construct,' and it names fences directly in its list of examples alongside buildings, stadiums, platforms, radio towers, sheds, storage bins, signs and swimming pools. Because a fence meets that definition, Section 17.48.010 applies to it directly: no building, structure or land may be constructed, altered, occupied or used until the appropriate certificates, permits and licenses have been issued by the building inspector. A homeowner who puts up a fence without first getting a permit is in the same legal position as someone who builds an addition without one.

The permitting path runs through Article II of Chapter 17.48. Under Section 17.48.020 the building inspector issues a zoning permit once satisfied the proposed structure will not violate Title 17. Section 17.48.030 requires a written application detailed enough that the inspector can route copies to the city planner, city engineer, superintendent of public works and board of health for a 'formal project review,' and Section 17.48.050 gives those officials fourteen days to submit recommendations. A special permit from the city council is a separate track reserved for uses Title 17 flags for discretionary review; a routine residential fence normally proceeds through the zoning permit route instead.