Miami Beach, FL Privacy & Surveillance: Privacy Screening (2026)

Miami-Dade County regulates fences through its zoning code and the South Florida Building Code. In residential zones, rear and side yard fences may be up to 6 feet in height. Front yard fences are limited to 4 feet. Chain-link fence installation (other than pool barriers) requires a Zoning Improvement Permit (ZIP). Privacy fences of wood, vinyl, aluminum, or masonry must comply with the South Florida Building Code's wind resistance requirements — Miami-Dade County is in the highest wind speed design zone in the continental United States (185 mph design wind speed). This means all fences must be engineered or designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. Impact-rated or hurricane-rated fence designs are recommended. Corner lot fences must maintain sight triangles for traffic safety. Swimming pool barrier fences must be at least 48 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates per the Florida Building Code. The county's Building Department has a streamlined stand-alone residential fence permit process effective May 13, 2024. Fences in flood zones may have additional requirements to not impede flood water flow.