Fence Construction Rules on Height

When it comes to fences, the main sticking is generally about height. In general, and your local laws and ordinances may differ, most residential areas call for a maximum of six feet for artificially constructed fences in the backyard and four feet for those in the front yard. Again, laws may vary where you are but those heights are generally what is considered acceptable. As for growing fences, or natural fences like bushes, trees, shrubs, etc.; the rules vary more but generally range within five to eight feet.

If you want to get an exception to the rule you’ll need to request a variance and build a strong case. A great example is if you live near something particularly ugly or noisy or high traffic and have a good reason to try to block it out, such as a movie theater or gas station or other such venue. Since you will have to go before a board of some kind for approval, it helps to get some of your neighbors involved to bolster your case since they will likely benefit as well from a higher partition between you all and the noise.

Asking for an exception because your neighbor’s house is ugly or they yell alot… probably not going to work though.