Published by T. Crow Digital. Updated October 26, 2026. Every figure links to the page it came from. How we research.
Fence height is set by your city or county, and an HOA can add its own rules on top. In most of the cities below the limit is about 4 feet in the front yard and 6 feet in the back, but the permit rules differ a lot.
Rules in the cities we cover
A short summary of each city's residential rules. Every row links the city's own code or permit page, and the city page has the full rule with the date we checked it.
| City | Front yard | Side and back | Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 54 inches if more than 20% solid; 6 feet if at least 80% open | 6 feet | Not needed up to 5 feet; $75 up to 6 feet (source, checked October 2026) |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 4 feet in front of the house | Anywhere in the setback behind the front of the house; over 7 feet needs a building permit | Not needed for most fences; building permit over 7 feet (source, checked October 2026) |
| Denver, CO | 4 feet | 6 feet | Zoning permit for any fence over 4 feet (source, checked October 2026) |
| Austin, TX | No separate front limit; over 6 feet along a street needs a permit | 6 feet on the property line (7 where the ground drops) | Needed in a floodplain, over 7 feet, or over 6 feet along a public street (source, checked October 2026) |
| Louisville, KY | 42 or 48 inches, by district | 8 feet solid, 6 feet open | Building permit over 7 feet (source, checked October 2026) |
| Minneapolis, MN | 4 feet, mostly open | 6 feet along the rear line | Zoning review for every fence; building permit over 7 feet (source, checked October 2026) |
| Madison, WI | 4 feet solid; 6 feet if at least 80% open | 6 feet | No building permit (source, checked October 2026) |
| Milwaukee, WI | 4 feet; ornamental metal to 6 feet | 6 feet in the rear yard | Needed for new and replacement fences (source, checked October 2026) |
| Omaha, NE | 4 feet | 6 feet | Needed for new and replacement fences (source, checked October 2026) |
| Orlando, FL | 4 feet | 6 feet | Not needed for most fences 6 feet or less; needed on corner lots and for pool barriers (source, checked October 2026) |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 4 feet, open style, where closer to the street than the house | 6 feet | Zoning approval (ROZA), no building permit up to 6 feet (source, checked October 2026) |
| Raleigh, NC | 6 1/2 feet, but at most 50% solid above 4 feet | 8 feet | Zoning permit for any fence (source, checked October 2026) |
| Spokane, WA | 6 feet once you are 10 feet back from the front line | 6 feet | Building permit for every fence, replacements too (source, checked October 2026) |
Summaries of the rules quoted on each city page. Corner lots, historic districts, pools and lots next to commercial land often have their own limits, so read your city page and check with the city before you build.
Want a price for your own yard? Send a quote request or run your length through the cost calculator first.
Calumet City fence rules
Calumet City, in Chicago's south suburbs, sets its own fence rules; Chicago's do not apply there. Its fence permit application, from the Department of Inspectional Services (708-891-8120), spells them out. (City of Calumet City, Fence Installation or Repair Application, checked 2026-10-26)
- Permit: the application covers installing or repairing a fence and asks for a staked plat of survey showing where the fence goes against the lot lines. The city says it is not responsible for lot lines.
- Height: 6 feet at most in a residential district, between the house and the rear yard.
- Front and corner lots: no fence past the front yard building line, and on a corner lot none past the side street yard line.
- Privacy fences: every privacy fence needs approval from the Mayor and City Council before it goes in. You send them a letter saying why you want one.
- Posts: a post-hole inspection is required for every fence. Privacy fence posts go at least 42 inches deep and chain link posts at least 24 inches.
- Placement: no fence on an easement, no fence built against another fence, every fence needs a gate or opening, and none may block water flow in a flood zone.
- Your neighbor's fence: to remove or replace it you need a signed letter from the neighbor giving permission.
- Pools: a permanent pool needs a fence enclosure at least 5 feet tall with a self-closing gate and a latch, plus a pool permit. A temporary or above-ground pool needs a fence 3 1/2 to 6 feet tall with a self-latching gate.
- Contractors: the contractor must have a work permit on file with the city and must make sure the fence permit is issued before work starts.
Outside Chicago, Illinois law has you notify JULIE at least two business days before digging, weekends and holidays not counted. (Village of Harwood Heights, JULIE, checked 2026-10-26)
How height is measured
Cities measure differently, and an inch matters at inspection. Chicago measures from the lowest ground within 12 inches on either side of the fence and lets posts run up to 6 inches over the limit. Colorado Springs counts posts and finials and uses the taller side. Franklin County, Washington measures from the ground to the top of the fence. If your yard slopes or sits above the sidewalk, ask how your city measures before you order panels.
Corner lots and sight lines
Corner lots usually carry extra limits so drivers can see. Minneapolis bars fences within 15 feet of a street or alley intersection, Denver requires transportation department approval for any fence in a sight triangle, and Franklin County uses a 20 foot vision triangle.
Elsewhere: three more examples
| Place | Front yard | Side and back | Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated San Mateo County, CA | 4 feet | 6 feet | A height exception may be needed depending on height and materials |
| Inver Grove Heights, MN | 42 inches, mostly open like chain link | 7 feet max, with exceptions | Required for any fence |
| Franklin County, WA | 4 feet | 6 feet | Not required for a fence 6 feet or less; needed above 6 feet in agricultural, commercial and industrial zones |
What a permit costs
HomeAdvisor says fence permits cost $20 to $60, and its wood fence guide gives a wider $100 to $500 depending on local rules. Two real fees from the cities above: Chicago charges $75 for a fence up to 6 feet and $300 over 6 feet, and Denver lists $100 for an over-height fence. Building without a needed permit can cost more: Omaha charges 4 times the regular fee, and Louisville adds a penalty equal to the permit fee.
HOAs
Local zoning and homeowners associations can both control where a fence goes, its style and its height, and may require sign-off first. Franklin County tells owners in developments with covenants or an HOA to check those rules themselves, because the county doesn't review them. Madison gives the same advice about deed restrictions.
State law can limit an HOA. Texas Property Code 202.023 says an association may not enforce a covenant that stops an owner from installing a perimeter fence, though it can still regulate the type of fencing and, if its covenants say so, bar fences in front of the house. Florida's 720.3035 says an association that denies a request must say in writing which rule it relied on. Our HOA fence approval letter guide has a fill-in letter.
Before anyone digs
A permit doesn't mark your buried lines. Call 811 a few business days first, and find your property line so the fence goes on your side.
Sources: City of Calumet City, Fence Installation or Repair Application; Village of Harwood Heights, JULIE; County of San Mateo, CA Public Works: Fence Permit; City of Inver Grove Heights, MN: Fence handout (PDF); Franklin County, WA Planning and Building: Fence Placement Requirements (PDF); Texas Property Code 202.023, Security measures; Florida Statutes 720.3035, Architectural control covenants (2026); HomeAdvisor fence installation cost guide (June 2026); HomeAdvisor wood fence cost guide (June 2026).
Common questions
What are the fence rules in Calumet City, Illinois?
Calumet City requires a permit with a staked plat of survey, allows up to 6 feet between the house and the rear yard in residential districts, bars fences past the front yard building line, and requires Mayor and City Council approval for any privacy fence. Every fence gets a post-hole inspection.
How tall can a backyard fence be?
In most of the cities we cover it is 6 feet. Some allow more in places: Raleigh allows 8 feet in side and rear setbacks, and Louisville allows a solid fence up to 8 feet in side and rear yards.
How tall can a front yard fence be?
Usually about 4 feet. Louisville allows 42 or 48 inches depending on the district, and several cities allow a little more for an open, see-through fence.
Do I need a permit to replace a fence?
Often yes. Omaha, Milwaukee, Spokane and Raleigh all require a permit to replace a fence. Others, like Orlando and Austin, skip the permit for many ordinary fences but still hold you to the height rules.
How much is a fence permit?
It depends on the city. Chicago charges $75 for a fence up to 6 feet. HomeAdvisor gives $20 to $60 as a typical range, and $100 to $500 in its wood fence guide.
Can my HOA stop me from building a fence?
It can set rules on style, height and placement and require approval first. Some states limit how far it can go; in Texas an association cannot ban a perimeter fence outright.
Who gets the permit, me or the fence company?
Ask before you sign. A competent contractor gets the permits before starting work, and the permit should be in the written contract.
Rules and quotes in your city
Each city page lists that city's own height and permit rules, with links to the code, and takes quote requests.