Macomb County issues no fence permits for private land. Whether a permit is required depends on your township, city, or village. Sterling Heights, for example, makes it unlawful to build any fence without first obtaining a municipal permit.
Because Macomb County does not zone private property, fence permitting is handled entirely at the municipal level. Some Macomb County communities require a permit for every fence; others exempt fences under a set height. Sterling Heights Code Chapter 19 is a verified example that requires a permit before any fence or privacy screen is constructed, with the property owner responsible for obtaining it unless a hired contractor takes on that duty. Residents should apply through their own municipal building department, provide a plot plan showing property lines and fence location, and confirm setback and vision-triangle rules before installing. Requirements in Warren, Clinton Township, Macomb Township, and Shelby Township are set independently and are not interchangeable.
A fence built without a required municipal permit can trigger a stop-work notice, after-the-fact permit fees, municipal civil-infraction fines, and an order to modify or remove the fence. Enforcement is by the municipality, not Macomb County.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Macomb County.
See how St. Clair Shores's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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