Sterling Heights, MI Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Before any fence construction
- Who applies
- Owner or hired contractor
- Issuing office
- Sterling Heights Building Department
- Penalty section
- § 1-9, general penalty
Summary
Sterling Heights requires a building permit before anyone constructs a fence or privacy screen anywhere in the city; the property owner is responsible unless a hired contractor takes on that duty.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to construct or cause to be constructed any fence or privacy screen upon any property within the limits of the City of Sterling Heights without first having obtained a permit therefor in the manner hereinafter provided. The owner of the property, as determined by the records of the Assessment Department of the City of Sterling Heights, shall be responsible for obtaining the permit, unless the owner can affirmatively demonstrate that he or she has hired a contractor to erect the fence or privacy screen. If a contractor has been hired to erect the fence or privacy screen, then such person, firm or corporation shall be responsible for obtaining the permit. (1978 Code, § 12-3; Ord. No. 211, § 1, 7-24-79) Penalty, see § 1-9
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-46: Local legislation current through Ord. 509, passed 5-19-26).
Full Breakdown
Under Code of Ordinances § 19-3, no person, firm or corporation may construct or cause to be constructed any fence or privacy screen on property within Sterling Heights city limits without first obtaining a permit. The property owner, as shown in Assessment Department records, is responsible for getting the permit unless the owner can affirmatively show a hired contractor took on the job: in that case the contractor must obtain it instead. This applies citywide in Macomb County, Michigan, before any fence work begins, and pairs with the § 19-4 application and fee process handled through the Building Department.
Violations & Fines
Building a fence or privacy screen without the required permit is unlawful under § 19-3 and is enforceable as a penalty under the city's general penalty section, § 1-9, which can include fines and an order to remove or correct the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Sterling Heights?
Who is responsible for getting the fence permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sterling Heights
Compare Sterling Heights to another location·View the Michigan fence regulations overview
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Fence Permit Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Macomb County handle fence permit requirements.