Ridgewood, NJ Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

Section 190-97 of Chapter 190 governs building, zoning and other permits Village-wide. Subsection B establishes the baseline rule: unless a building permit and certificate of occupancy have already issued or are not required, no land may be developed, occupied or used for any purpose until the Zoning Officer issues a zoning permit, unless the improvement is otherwise exempted. Subsection B(3)(a) then names fences and freestanding walls specifically as examples of exterior residential improvements requiring that permit, alongside driveways, walkways, patios, play equipment and certain sheds, because a fence is 'regulated by the zoning regulations, Articles X, XII and XIII' of the chapter.

Retaining walls are carved out to their own permit track under § 190-97J rather than the general fence rule. To get the permit, an applicant files a completed application with the Zoning Officer, pays the fee set in Chapter 145, and submits plans sufficient to show compliance, which may include a current survey at the Zoning Officer's discretion; the Zoning Officer must issue or deny the permit within 10 business days of receipt under § 190-97B(6). Once issued, a zoning permit is valid for one year and becomes void if work is not started in that time or is suspended for six months under § 190-97B(7).

Minor repairs or replacing a conforming fence with an identical conforming fence do not require a new permit, per the general exemption for minor repairs described alongside the nonresidential permit rules in § 190-97B(3)(b).