In unincorporated Sarasota County, chain-link, wood, or vinyl residential fences meeting the Zoning Regulations may be built without a building permit. All other fences and walls, plus subdivision walls approved under Chapter 74, require a building permit.
Section 7.8 of the county Zoning Regulations states that chain-link, wood, or vinyl fences on residential property are subject to the section's standards but may be constructed without a building permit. Every other fence or wall type, including subdivision walls approved under Chapter 74 of the County Code, requires a building permit and must still meet the height, setback, and material standards of Sec. 7.8. A permit-free fence must still comply with height limits, must sit entirely on the owner's property, and cannot encroach into rights-of-way or easements. Fences in the Siesta Key Overlay District and motorized or electric gates require review. These rules apply in the unincorporated county; incorporated cities issue their own fence permits.
Building a fence that requires a permit without one, or a permit-free fence that violates height/setback/material rules, is a code violation. Code Enforcement may require correction, removal, or after-the-fact permitting; unresolved cases go to the Special Magistrate with daily fines.
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