Kissimmee, FL Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- any wall, including retaining walls
- Front yard cap
- 3 ft (waived for retaining walls)
- Director may approve
- up to 6 ft, unique topography
- Governing section
- LDC § 14-6-5.A, C
Summary
Kissimmee exempts retaining walls from its standard three-foot front-yard wall height cap, but every retaining wall still needs a building permit under the same fences-and-walls section of the code.
A. Permit. A building permit is required to erect any fence or wall within the city limits.
B. Side and rear yard fences and walls.
1. Such fences may be located in the required yard but the finished side of the fence shall face away from the property on which it is located.
2. Maximum height of six feet except that the director may approve a fence or wall up to ten feet in height if either dictated by unique topographic conditions or required to screen an outdoor storage area of unique characteristics.
C. Front yard fences and walls.
1. Maximum height of three feet unless it is a retaining wall or a decorative open fence (no more than 15 percent opaque) up to six feet in height;
2. The director may approve a solid fence or wall up to six feet in height if dictated by unique topographic conditions, required to screen an outdoor storage area of unique characteristics, or required for buffering purposes as a condition of a development permit.
3. For all properties within the form-based code area, the provisions of chapter 14-5 shall apply.
D. Fence and wall materials.
1. Allowable fence materials include aluminum, treated wood, vinyl, ornamental iron, chain link (see restrictions below), concrete, brick or stone.
2. Chain link fences in the front yard are prohibited, unless provided in conjunction with a public school.
3. Where permitted, chain link fences shall be coated in green or black vinyl.
4.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
The Land Development Code's blanket rule that 'a building permit is required to erect any fence or wall within the city limits' (§ 14-6-5.A) applies to retaining walls. In the front yard, ordinary fences and walls are capped at three feet, but § 14-6-5.C.1 specifically excludes retaining walls from that cap, alongside decorative open fences. The planning director can also approve a taller solid wall, up to six feet, anywhere on the property where unique topographic conditions require it, which covers many retaining-wall situations.
Violations & Fines
Building a retaining wall without a city permit, or exceeding the height the director has approved for the site's topography, violates § 14-6-5 and can trigger a stop-work order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a retaining wall exempt from Kissimmee's 3-foot front yard height limit?
Do I still need a permit for a retaining wall in Kissimmee?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kissimmee
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Kissimmee to another location·View the Florida fence regulations overview
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