Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences (2026)

Top 25: Tallest Allowed

Based on residential fence height limits in each city's zoning code. Rankings consider both front and rear yard maximums, with higher rear yard limits ranked as more permissive.

1. 1

   Okaloosa County, FLFew RestrictionsEight feet

   In unincorporated Okaloosa County, fences may reach eight feet in any zoning district and can sit on the property line. On Okaloosa Island, fences within the street-front setback are capped at 42 inches, and nothing may block the intersection sight line.

2. 2

   Marion County, FLFew RestrictionsNone specified in LDC for residential fences

   Marion County's Land Development Code does not set a numeric maximum fence height for residential property in unincorporated areas; fences are exempt from setbacks under Section 4.1.4, and the county Building Safety Department generally requires a building permit only when a fence exceeds 6 feet in height, is masonry/concrete (wall-like), or encloses a pool.

3. 3

   Riverside County, CAFew RestrictionsNone stated in Ord. 348

   Riverside County's zoning ordinance (No. 348) does not set a countywide maximum fence height for unincorporated areas. Instead, fence height in residential areas is shaped by building-permit thresholds: fences over 7 feet require a permit, and the County's design standards target 5-to-6-foot perimeter walls for new homes.

4. 4

   Boone County, MOFew RestrictionsNone set generally

   The Boone County Zoning Ordinance (last revised Jan 21, 2025) does not set numeric fence height limits in unincorporated areas. Section 10.B(10) requires fences over 2 feet stay outside corner-lot vision triangles (20 feet from intersecting street rights-of-way). Section 13 governs animal enclosures in residentially developed areas of 3 acres or less.

5. 5

   Dallas County, TXFew Restrictions

   No county fence height restrictions. Texas counties cannot zone or regulate fence heights. No permit required for residential fences. HOA/deed restrictions are the primary constraint on fence height in unincorporated subdivisions.

6. 6

   Manchester, NHFew Restrictions3 to 4 feet typical

   Manchester sets fence height limits through local zoning ordinances. New Hampshire allows up to 6 feet for backyard fences and 3 to 4 feet for front yard fences in most municipalities.

7. 7

   Baytown, TXFew RestrictionsNone — no zoning ordinance

   Baytown does not have traditional zoning and does not impose citywide fence height limits through a zoning ordinance. Property owners have broad discretion in fence height. However, fences must not obstruct traffic visibility at intersections or block drainage. Building permits may be required for masonry walls above certain heights. HOA CC&Rs in many subdivisions impose their own height restrictions.

8. 8

   Denton County, TXFew RestrictionsNone

   Unincorporated Denton County has no fence height ordinance. Property owners may build fences of any height on their own land without county approval. HOA deed restrictions in subdivisions typically limit fences to 6 feet in rear yards and 4 feet in front yards.

9. 9

   Travis County, TXFew Restrictions

   Travis County imposes no fence height limits in unincorporated areas because TX counties cannot zone. Height is governed only by deed restrictions, HOA covenants, or Austin ETJ rules where applicable. Most subdivisions allow 6 ft rear, 4 ft front.

10. 10

    Brazos County, TXFew Restrictions

    Brazos County does NOT regulate residential fence heights in unincorporated areas. Texas Local Government Code §233.153 prohibits counties from adopting zoning regulations or requiring prior approval before residential construction. Texas Property Code §§26.001–26.003 govern boundary fence disputes between neighbors but set no height cap. Inside the cities of Bryan and College Station, municipal zoning ordinances apply (typically 6 ft side/rear, 4 ft front).

11. 11

    Cass County, NDFew Restrictions

    Cass County, ND does not impose a countywide fence-height limit. In unincorporated Cass County, fence regulation is delegated to organized townships under NDCC Chapter 58-03 and to township zoning ordinances adopted under NDCC Chapter 11-33. Some Cass County townships (e.g., Rich Township) have adopted zoning that includes setback and accessory-structure rules that affect fences; others have no fence rules at all. Cities within Cass County - Fargo, West Fargo, Horace - apply their own fence ordinances. Property-line fence disputes are governed by NDCC Chapter 47-26.

12. 12

    Clarke County, GAFew Restrictions48 inches

    Athens-Clarke County Code § 9-15-1 limits residential fences to 48 inches in any required front yard and up to 8 feet in side and rear yards. A fence within 10 feet of a public right-of-way (except an alley) drops to 48 inches, and a zoning permit is required before building.

13. 13

    Fairfield County, CTFew Restrictions4 feet

    Fairfield County has no operational government (abolished 1960), so fence height limits are set by each town under the state zoning enabling act, Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 8-2. Typical Fairfield County rules cap fences at 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards, with corner-lot sight-line setbacks. Stamford Zoning Regs Sec. 7.4, Bridgeport Zoning Sec. 12-12-1, Norwalk Building Zone Regs Sec. 118-1430, Greenwich Building Zone Regs Sec. 6-141(a)(13), and Danbury Zoning Regs Sec. 4.A.5 each codify these standards. Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47-43 governs civil 'spite fence' actions.

14. 14

    Hartford County, CTFew Restrictions4 feet

    Hartford County has no operational government (abolished 1960), so fence height limits are set by each Capitol Region COG town under the state zoning enabling act, Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 8-2. Typical Hartford County rules cap fences at 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards, with corner-lot sight-line setbacks. Hartford Zoning Regs, West Hartford Zoning Regs Sec. 177, Manchester Zoning Regs Article II, New Britain Zoning Sec. 290, and Bristol Zoning Regs each codify these standards. Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47-43 governs civil 'spite fence' actions.

15. 15

    Lafayette Parish, LAFew RestrictionsNone (La. R.S. 33)

    Lafayette Consolidated Government regulates fences in the Unified Development Code (Chapter 89). Sec. 89-32 governs fence standards, and standard residential fences 7 feet or shorter do not require a building permit; fences taller than 7 feet require a building permit through LCG Permits & Codes. At street intersections, no fence, wall, or hedge may exceed 36 inches above street level where it obstructs the line of sight (Sec. 89-44(f)), and a 30-foot sight triangle applies at private street corners. Temporary fences up to 5 feet in place no more than 30 days are exempt from a Certificate of Appropriateness.

16. 16

    Jackson County, MOFew Restrictions

    In unincorporated Jackson County, Missouri, fences taller than 6 feet require a building permit through Jackson County Public Works. Fences 6 feet or shorter generally do not require a county permit but must still comply with the Jackson County Unified Development Code (UDC, adopted 2020) - including setbacks, sight-distance triangles at corners, and screening requirements for nonresidential uses. Fences are regulated only in unincorporated territory; cities such as Kansas City (Chapter 27 of the KC Code), Independence, Lee's Summit, and Blue Springs each set their own fence rules within their city limits. Permit and zoning questions: Jackson County Public Works, (816) 881-4515.

17. 17

    Marathon County, WIFew Restrictions

    Fences in unincorporated Marathon County are regulated under Section 17.401.05 (Fence and Wall Regulations) of the county Zoning Code (Chapter 17), administered by the Marathon County Conservation, Planning and Zoning Department (715.261.6000). Specific height limits depend on the underlying zoning district and yard location (front, side, rear, corner sight-triangle). Marathon County is undertaking a 2026 update to Chapter 17 that includes simplified fence rules and possible increases to allowed heights, with public requests for 8-foot residential privacy fences. Cities and villages within the county have their own zoning codes and fence rules that supersede county rules within their limits.

18. 18

    Linn County, IAFew RestrictionsNone

    Iowa has no statewide cap on residential fence height. In unincorporated Linn County, fences are regulated through Chapter 107 of the County Code (the Unified Development Code) and through the county's zoning and building permit framework administered by Linn County Planning & Development. Property-line and partition fences between rural neighbors are also subject to Iowa Code Chapter 359A (partition fence law). For exact fence height, setback, and corner-lot sight-triangle limits in your zone, contact Linn County Planning & Development at 319-892-5130.

19. 19

    Midland County, TXFew Restrictions

    Midland County does not regulate fence heights in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack zoning authority (Local Gov Code Ch. 233). The county's Subdivision Regulations cover platting, drainage, and street layout but contain no fence height limits. City of Midland zoning sets fence heights only inside city limits.

20. 20

    New Haven County, CTFew Restrictions4 feet

    New Haven County has no operational government (abolished 1960), so fence height limits are set by each town under the state zoning enabling act, Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 8-2. Typical New Haven County rules cap fences at 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards, with corner-lot sight-line setbacks. New Haven Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32, Waterbury Zoning Regs Sec. 4.05, Meriden Zoning Regs Sec. 213-39, Milford Zoning Regs Sec. 6.1.5, and Hamden Zoning Regs Sec. 600 each codify these standards. Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47-43 governs civil 'spite fence' actions.

21. 21

    Olmsted County, MNFew RestrictionsGenerally up to 6 ft

    Olmsted County regulates fences in unincorporated areas through its Chapter 1400 Zoning Ordinance, administered by the Olmsted County Planning Department for the cooperatively-planned townships of Eyota, Marion, Oronoco, and Quincy. Privacy fences in residential districts are generally limited to 6 feet, with corner-lot sight-distance rules restricting front-yard fence height to preserve traffic visibility. Fences may sit on the property line if both sides can be maintained, but not within road or utility easements. Olmsted County is comprised of 18 townships and eight cities that may administer their own zoning. For permits and questions, contact the Olmsted County Planning Department at 507-328-7100.

22. 22

    Racine County, WIFew RestrictionsNone for residential (county)

    Racine County does not impose a general height cap on residential fences in unincorporated areas. Under Section 20-1086 of the County Zoning Ordinance, residential fences are regulated only when they obstruct traffic visibility on corner lots, are located near a navigable body of water, or fall within a shoreland-wetland or floodplain area. Section 20-1045 prohibits structures (including fences) within the 75-foot shore-yard setback from the ordinary high-water mark of navigable waters, although open fences may be allowed in the setback. Non-residential security fences require a permit. Contact Racine County Development Services at 262-886-8440.

23. 23

    Bexar County, TXFew Restrictions8 ft per UDC §35-514 conditions

    Bexar County does not regulate fence heights in unincorporated areas. The county confirms there are no zoning regulations outside city limits. Texas counties lack general police power to zone (Local Gov Code Ch. 233). San Antonio's Unified Development Code §35-514 sets 6 ft side/rear and 3 ft front-yard sight-triangle limits inside city limits.

24. 24

    Wayne County, MIFew Restrictions4 feet

    Wayne County does not regulate residential fence heights. Under Michigan's Zoning Enabling Act (MCL 125.3101 et seq.), zoning authority over fences rests with cities, villages, and townships, not counties. Residents must follow their local municipal ordinance. For example, the City of Detroit's zoning code limits front-yard fences to 4 feet and side and rear-yard fences to 6 feet, while suburbs like Livonia and Dearborn each adopt their own height rules. The county's only fence-related role is right-of-way clearance and county-road sight-distance requirements through the Wayne County Department of Public Services.

25. 25

    King County, WAFew Restrictions6 feet or less

    In unincorporated King County, fences 6 feet or less in height may be built on or within property lines without a building permit. Fences over 6 feet require a building permit and must meet the setback requirements for the parcel's zone under K.C.C. 21A.14.220 and the density and dimensions tables in K.C.C. 21A.12.030 (residential and rural) or K.C.C. 21A.12.040 (resource and commercial/industrial). Properties containing critical areas - wetlands, streams, flood hazard areas, or steep slopes - have additional limits and may require permits even for shorter fences. Cities like Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Renton, and Federal Way enforce their own municipal fence rules within city limits.

State-by-State Breakdown

How each state leans overall, based on the cities and counties we have data for in that state.

Complete List

Frequently Asked Questions