Stafford Township, NJ Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

The permit rule is Township Code § 211-35X(3): a fence permit is required and is issued, in conformance with the fence rules, by the Township Zoning Office for all fences, except living fences, erected in Stafford Township. The permit sits on top of the height rule in X(2)(a)[1], which says no fence, wall or hedge on a residential lot can be erected, built, renovated or maintained above six feet, with height measured from ground elevation or finished grade under [2].

The application itself is spelled out in Chapter 213, Zoning Permits, § 213-1(K). An applicant can depict the new fence by hand on the original survey, so long as the survey clearly shows all four setbacks to the existing principal structure, accurately shows the location and dimension of that structure, and reflects the conditions on the property when the application is filed. If the Zoning Officer has reasonable cause to question the handwritten depiction, the applicant must obtain an as-built survey certified by a licensed engineer or licensed land surveyor and sign an affidavit that the Township assumes no responsibility for the fence location.

Replacing a fence in the same location needs no survey if the owner submits a notarized affidavit that the new fence will go in the exact location of the old one. Minor repairs need no permit: § 213-1(K)(4) defines them as no change in fence location and repair or replacement of no more than 50% of the existing fence.

Corner lots add a sight rule. Under X(4), clear sight triangles are provided at all street intersections, and within them no vision-obstructing object can exceed 30 inches above the existing street. Under X(6), where no intersecting road has traffic controls the triangle is calculated from a fixed point of 90 feet in each direction from the center of the intersection. Chapter 213 also states general terms for zoning permits: a $25 processing fee under § 213-1(A) and a one-year validity period under § 213-4.