Sioux Falls, SD Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Yes, from the zoning division
- Front yard height limit
- 4 feet max
- Side/rear yard height limit
- 6 feet max
- Governing section
- § 160.480(b)
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine / 30 days jail
Summary
Sioux Falls requires a zoning fence permit before building any fence, with front-yard fences capped at four feet and side or rear fences at six feet.
(b) Permit required. Fence permits shall be required to construct fences. (c) Front yard. Fences not more than four feet in height may be located on any part of the lot except that a fence may not be more than 30% solid where it is located within 30 feet of a street intersection... (d) Side and rear yards. Fences not more than six feet in height may be erected within any side or rear yard.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-135: Current through local ordinance 54-26, passed 7-14-2026).
Full Breakdown
Sioux Falls Code of Ordinances § 160.480(b) requires a fence permit from the zoning division before any fence goes up, regardless of height. The Residential Code amendments in § 150.002 (IRC R105.2) confirm fences up to 7 feet skip the separate building permit, but the zoning fence permit still applies. Height limits follow: 4 feet in front yards (with a 30%-solid cap near street intersections), 6 feet in side and rear yards, up to 8 feet in select commercial/mixed-use forms, and taller allowances around pools, ball parks, and tennis courts. Building without the permit is a general Code violation.
Violations & Fines
Building a fence without the required zoning permit is a Code violation, punishable under the citywide general penalty (§ 10.999): fines up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Sioux Falls?
How tall can my front-yard fence be without extra design requirements?
Is a separate building permit also required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sioux Falls
Compare Sioux Falls to another location·View the South Dakota fence regulations overview
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