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Fence Regulations in Idaho (2026)

44 rules on the books across Idaho, 14 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.

Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions

Height Limits

Maximum fence heights for front, side, and back yards, including privacy fences, corner-lot visibility rules, and how height is measured on slopes and retaining walls.

Ada County

Some Restrictions

In unincorporated Ada County, fences may sit inside or outside any setback but cannot exceed six feet above grade on a…

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Bannock County

Some Restrictions

In unincorporated Bannock County's nonagricultural zoning districts, a solid fence over three feet tall cannot stand…

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Boise

Some Restrictions

Boise caps residential fence height at 6 feet on side/rear lines and limits front-yard fences to 36-48 inches under the…

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Bonner County

Some Restrictions

In unincorporated Bonner County, Idaho, a fence or wall taller than 36 inches cannot sit closer than 40 feet from the…

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Bonneville County

Some Restrictions

In Bonneville County's residential zones, no fence, wall or hedge over 3 feet tall is allowed within 15 feet of the…

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Caldwell

Some Restrictions

Caldwell caps front-yard fencing at four feet for open styles and three feet for solid fencing, with taller fencing…

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Coeur Dalene

Some Restrictions

In the City of Coeur d'Alene, a residential fence, wall or hedge can be six feet (6') tall on rear and side property…

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Idaho Falls

Some Restrictions

Idaho Falls requires a fence permit and compliance with the zoning code's visibility rules. Key requirements include a…

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Kootenai County

Some Restrictions

Kootenai County caps fencing at eight feet under LUDC 8.4.605(D), the same threshold that lets a fence skip the title's…

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Meridian

Some Restrictions

Meridian caps residential fences at 6 feet in side and rear yards, drops to 3-4 feet in the street yard, and allows 8…

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Nampa

Some Restrictions

Nampa caps residential fences at 6 feet in side and rear yards, 3 to 4 feet in front yards, with a required vision…

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Pocatello

Some Restrictions

Fences in Pocatello cap out at 7 feet anywhere in the city, but that maximum shrinks sharply near the street. No fence…

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Twin Falls County

Some Restrictions

Unincorporated Twin Falls County caps sight obstructions, including fences, at three feet within the visibility…

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Fence Permit Requirements

Whether you need a building permit to install or replace a fence, and what the permit process and fees look like.

Material Restrictions

Specific materials that are prohibited for fencing, such as barbed wire, razor wire, or electric fencing in residential zones.

Ada County

Significant Restrictions

Ada County Code 8-3-6(C) bans barbed wire and electric wire fencing across the unincorporated county unless the…

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Coeur Dalene

Significant Restrictions

In the City of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, barbed or electrified wire fencing or gates along any street, alley, highway or…

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Nampa

Significant Restrictions

Nampa prohibits barbed wire on residential property and allows it only as a security-fence topper in commercial or…

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Pocatello

Significant Restrictions

Electrified fences are banned outright anywhere in the City of Pocatello. Barbed wire is prohibited too, except along…

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Boise

Some Restrictions

Boise bans electric fences citywide and restricts barbed wire, chain-link, and low-quality materials under its…

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Caldwell

Some Restrictions

Caldwell bans electric, concertina, barbed and razor wire fencing in every zoning district, with a carve-out for horse…

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Canyon County

Some Restrictions

Unincorporated Canyon County's zoning code requires a sight-obscuring fence or wall to be built of durable material…

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Kootenai County

Some Restrictions

Kootenai County allows conventional fence materials but forbids fences of tires, manufactured-home parts, salvaged…

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Meridian

Some Restrictions

Meridian prohibits electric wire and barbed wire as fence components citywide, with a narrow commercial/industrial…

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Bannock County

Light Restrictions

Bannock County does not ban electric or wire fencing outright in its nonagricultural zoning districts, but Section…

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