Fence or Hedge

Placement

• You must identify your lot lines. There should be metal stakes at each corner of your lot. Talk with your neighbors or use a metal detector to find them. If you can’t locate your lot lines yourself, you may need to hire a surveyor. The City does not provide this service.
• Note that sidewalks, curbs, fences, and shrubs do not necessarily mark your lot lines. If you have a public sidewalk, lot lines are usually six to 12 inches from the sidewalk edge to your house.
• You may put a fence up to the lot line, but the fence or post must not encroach over the lot line. Keep a fence or plantings back from the property line for easy maintenance. It is your choice to fence in the entire yard or only part of it.
• You do not, by law, have to place the good side of the fence to face your neighbor. Even so, it is a good idea to talk to your neighbors about your fence project and if they have concerns.

Height

• You must measure the fence or hedge height from the natural or approved grade. In the case of grade separation, such as the division of properties by a retaining wall, fence or hedge height shall be determined based on measurement from the average point between highest and lowest grade. If the fence or hedge is set back from the retaining wall by a distance of at least 4 feet, measure the height from the base of the fence or hedge. Berms and retaining walls shall not be used to increase grade relative to screening height.
• Screening fences or hedges in the front yard setback must not exceed four feet. Ornamental fences may be five-feet high if they are less than 50% opaque. They may be six feet high if less than 20% opaque.
• Screening fences or hedges in corner street side yards must not exceed four feet. The exception is that they may be six feet high if you place them
  • Four feet from the street-side lot line OR
  • Behind the rear place of the main building
• Screening fences or hedges in rear or interior side yards may be six feet high. If your yard is next to a commercial district, the fence or hedge may be eight feet high along that property line.
• On corners of street intersections, fences or hedges must not be taller than 30 inches in height. Tree branches must be at least 10 feet above ground level. These requirements are for fences, hedges, or trees within 25 feet, on either side, from the corner of the lot. These rules let pedestrians and drivers have a clear view of traffic.
• You must enclose in-ground pools with a fence that is at least four feet high. The pool fence must also have a gate with a lock.
• If your above-ground pools has sides lower than 4 feet high, you do not need a fence for it. However, you must be able to limit the access to an above ground pool. A removable ladder is one easy way to limit access.
• You may line a driveway with fences or plantings that you cannot see through. However, areas within 10 feet of where the driveway intersects with a street-side lot line, fences or plantings must not be more than two feet high. If your neighbor’s driveway is closer than 10 feet to the lot line, this rule also applies to your plantings or fence.
• Retaining walls have the same height rules as other fences. Measure the height of a retaining wall from the natural grade of the land to the top of the wall, or the top of a wall/screen combination at the lot line.

Call the Diggers Hotline, 1-800-242-8511, to avoid rupturing underground utilities that you may not know are there. A utility company employee will come out and mark the location of underground electric, sewer, telephone, and cable lines in your yard. You may need to change the placement of your fence or plantings if it is over one of these lines.

Install fencing according to manufacturer’s instructions. The company you purchased your fence from can supply you with instructions on how best to put up your particular fence. Plant your trees and shrubs as directed by the nursery.

Keep your fence and plantings in good condition. Paint and repair fences on a regular basis. Trim shrubbery to maintain height requirements and keep it off of sidewalks, streets, and neighbor's property.