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.
