fence height limits | TM Fencing LLC

Are Fence Permits Necessary for Homes in Kansas?

Do you need a permit to build a fence around your yard? In most cases, you don’t need to pull a permit with the local government to install a fence around a one or two-family property that’s six feet tall or shorter.

In addition to the height requirement, your fence can only consist of approved materials. For a permitless installation, your fence should be one of the following materials:

Chain-link

Wood

Vinyl

Plant-based

Aluminum

Wrought iron

Factors Affecting Fence Permit Requirements

When answering “Do you need a permit to build a fence?” you must pay attention to your local fencing regulations. According to Kansas fence laws, residential fencing is acceptable without a permit if it meets certain height requirements. However, there are exceptions to every rule.

The following factors can impact whether you need approval to build a fence around your property:

Homeowners’ Association Rules

If you live in an HOA community, you should review the local handbook before installing a new fence. Many HOAs have rules regarding fencing height, materials, and colors. Even if your new property’s barrier complies with city regulations, it might not meet HOA requirements, so check the handbook first.

Fence Types

Sometimes, permit laws include rules about specific kinds of fences. For instance, a solid privacy fence may not require a permit if it’s six feet or under. However, ornamental fences with metal and more open spaces typically don’t have height limitations.

Local Zoning Laws

Zoning laws, as well as property line regulations, often impact the need for fence permits. Rules vary between rural, city, commercial, and residential areas. You may get away with installing an eight-foot fence without pre-approval, depending on your property’s location and how it and the neighboring property are zoned.

Fence Height

The general rule of thumb is that most fence installations are acceptable without permits as long as the structures are under six feet. An exception would be masonry fences or retaining walls, which usually have a four-foot height limitation due to their materials. Getting a taller border around your property is possible, but you’ll likely need pre-approval.

Get the Perfect Fencing for Your Wichita Property

Do you need a permit to build a fence around your property? While not likely, keep in mind that local rules regarding fence height limits, building materials, and zoning may require municipal or HOA approval.

TM Fencing LLC expertly installs premium fencing around homes and businesses in Wichita, Kansas. Whether extending fence height or installing new fencing, our professionals can pull all the permits your project requires. Contact TM Fencing LLC today at (316) 218-3450 to schedule a consultation.

Property owners install fencing for many reasons — security, curb appeal, and privacy. One of the top questions we are asked when customers are interested in preserving the sanctuary of their property is, “How tall can a privacy fence be?”

TM Fencing, Wichita’s reliable fence company, provides some information and guidance on privacy fence height.

Common Privacy Fence Heights

Residential fence heights vary widely on where they are located. Privacy fences in back and side yards are typically between 6 and 8 feet tall. Front yard fencing is shorter, typically around 3 feet tall, to maintain curb appeal and overall aesthetics and comply with legal fence height regulations.

Factors Affecting Fence Height Selection

How tall can a privacy fence be?

These are some of the top things to consider.

Local Regulations

There are statewide fence regulations in Kansas, but they typically deal with the location where fences are placed in relation to property lines. Privacy fence height regulations are regulated by local county and city governments. Local planning departments generally handle fence regulations and issue any necessary permits.

Homeowners associations also often impose various fence height rules and restrictions, including those relating to height, material, and color.

Legal maximum fence height must be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the laws and regulations that apply to your address.

There can be costly penalties for constructing unpermitted fences, so every project must be carefully evaluated before construction.

TM Fencing will assist in the process of obtaining required permits for the construction of your privacy fence — however, we cannot provide legal advice with regard to compliance with other laws and regulations. You should seek legal advice if you have questions about compliance with applicable rules.

Purpose and Location

In addition to the normal privacy fence heights mentioned above, there are other considerations for fences with specialized purposes. For example, fences around pools and fences on corner lots can have special requirements.

Pool fences often have minimum height requirements and must have self-latching gates for safety. Corner lots often have fence height limits that ensure adequate sight lines for vehicles and pedestrians.

Measuring Fence Height

Compliance with laws and regulations can come down a matter of inches. Accurate measurement is critical to compliance and we urge property owners to take a conservative approach when making sure your fence is within applicable limits.

To correctly measure a fence’s height, begin at the ground level on the finished grade where it meets the post base. Measure up to the highest point of the fence, including top latticework or ornamental tops.

Contact TM Fencing For Your Fencing Needs in South Central Kansas

How tall can a privacy fence be? If you are considering installing new fencing and have additional questions about height, building a fence close to a property line, or any fence construction issues, our experts are the team Kansas trusts for the process.

Call the Wichita experts at TM Fencing today at (316) 218-3450 for more information and a free estimate for your project.

Serving South Central Kansas