Check these fence rules before you draw
Search your municipal code for the fence or walls and fences section. The rules that trip people up most often:
| Rule | Typical value (verify locally) |
|---|---|
| Max height, rear/side yards | 6 ft |
| Max height, front yard | 3–4 ft, or fences prohibited in the front setback |
| Corner lots | Extra restrictions on the street-side yard for visibility (sight triangle) |
| Finished side out | Often required to face neighbors and street |
| Permit threshold | Many towns require a permit for any fence; some exempt under 4–6 ft |
If you live on a corner lot or near an intersection, read the visibility/sight-triangle rules carefully — that's the most common rejection reason for fences.
What goes on a fence permit site plan
- Property boundary lines (the fence usually follows them — accuracy matters)
- The proposed fence path, with height and material per segment (e.g. 6 ft privacy along rear, 4 ft picket along side)
- Gate locations
- House, driveway, and other structures for context
- Distances from the fence to lot lines and lot corners (often zero — say so explicitly)
- North arrow, scale, and a title block with the property address
How to draw it free in ZoneMapper (about 40 minutes)
1. Start from your address or your survey
Entering your address loads aerial imagery with scale set automatically and a parcel outline from county GIS data where available. If you have a survey or plat, upload it — property line accuracy matters more for fences than for any other permit, since the fence will physically follow those lines.
2. Trace your lot boundary
If a parcel outline loaded with your address, compare it to your survey's labeled distances. Otherwise use the Lot boundary tool, click each corner, then choose Finish lot boundary. The Polygon tool does not set the property line, and setback checks will not use it.
3. Draw the fence run
Use the Fence tool along each side where fencing is proposed. In the Style panel, set the style (privacy, picket, chain-link, wall, or retaining) and the height in feet. The height is labeled at the midpoint of that run, and the Layers panel totals the footage. Draw a new run wherever the height or style changes — a 6 ft privacy fence on the rear and a 4 ft picket fence on the side should be two runs, not one label. Mark gates with the Text tool. If you're fencing only part of the lot, draw exactly what's proposed.
4. Dimension to the lot lines
Use the Dimension tool to add lines from the fence to each property line it runs near. If the fence sits on the line, label the distance as 0' (on line) — reviewers want to see that stated, not guessed.
5. Export and submit
Export the PDF with a title block (address, owner, date), north arrow, and scale. Attach it to your fence permit application.
Common reasons fence permits get rejected
- Fence too tall for its yard — especially 6 ft fences proposed in the front yard
- No height labels on the drawing, or one label for a fence with multiple heights
- Corner-lot sight-triangle violations at street corners and driveways
- Fence shown over an easement without an easement agreement
- Missing scale or north arrow
FAQ
How do I know exactly where my property line is?
County GIS parcel lines and aerial-based tracing are approximations — good for planning, not for setting posts. If neighbors are close or the line is disputed, a licensed survey to mark the line is the only authoritative answer.
Do I need a survey for a fence permit?
Most jurisdictions accept a site plan based on your existing survey or county GIS data. A few want a surveyor's stakeout for fences built on the lot line — ask your building department.
Can I submit a hand-drawn fence plan?
Frequently yes, as long as it's to scale with distances labeled. A printed, dimensioned plan from a free tool is easier for a reviewer to approve because the distances are explicit.
More permit guides
- Pool site plan — the barrier around a pool is a fence with extra rules
- Shed site plan
- Deck or patio site plan
- All permit guides
ZoneMapper is a drafting aid. Fence height, material, and placement rules vary by jurisdiction — always verify against your local zoning code before submitting an application or building.