Wayne County, MI Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Ch. 247, Roads and Engineering Division
- Permit scope
- Fences in county road right-of-way only
- Issuing authority
- County CEO or delegated roads division
- State authority
- MCL 247.171
- Noncompliance timeline
- 30 days to remove after order
- General fence rules
- Set by city/township, not the county
Summary
Wayne County doesn't issue general residential fence permits; that's set by each city or township's own code. The one fence permit the county itself issues covers fences placed on county road rights-of-way: the CEO's roads division may grant a temporary permit to protect adjacent improvements under Chapter 247, Section 247-4(21).
(21)Issue temporary permits to place fences upon county road rights-of-way for protection of improvements on adjacent land, pursuant to MCL 247.171.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31).
Full Breakdown
362, delegable to the assistant CEO, the roads division director, or other department staff by executive order. " That is the only fence-specific permit Wayne County itself issues, and it applies narrowly: to a fence built inside the county road right-of-way, the strip of land the county holds for road construction, reconstruction, maintenance and operation, not to a fence built back on private property. A resident who wants a fence on their own lot in Detroit, Dearborn, Livonia, Canton or any of the county's other municipalities applies to that city or township's own zoning or building department; Wayne County has no zoning authority inside its incorporated cities and townships and writes no general fence ordinance of its own. authority as the permit.
Violations & Fines
An unpermitted fence in a Wayne County road right-of-way is an encroachment under Section 247-4(22): the CEO issues a removal order, and if the owner or occupant fails to remove the fence within 30 days of service, the county removes it and recovers its actual removal cost from the person at fault, assessing the cost against the property if payment is refused.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wayne County require a permit for a backyard fence?
When does Wayne County itself issue a fence permit?
What happens if I fence off part of a county road right-of-way without a permit?
Who administers this fence permit power?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wayne County
Compare Wayne County to another location·View the Michigan fence regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.