How tall should a privacy fence be?
The right fence height can make a difference when it comes to privacy, security, and curb appeal. In this guide, Ergeon breaks down standard fence heights and local rules
Choosing the right height for a privacy fence comes down to two key factors: the standard fence height options available and your local regulations. In this post, Ergeon Co-founder and CEO Jenny He—licensed contractor in 11 states—shares expert guidance on common fence heights, what works best for privacy, and what to watch out for before you build.
Fence height is key for privacy—most privacy fences need to be at least 6 feet tall to block views from neighbors or passersby. But height isn't enough on its own. The style of fence also affects how much privacy you get. For example, picket fences have gaps that still allow visibility, while board-on-board or dog ear fences use overlapping or tightly spaced boards to create a solid, private barrier.
Most residential areas limit front yard fences to 3 to 4 feet. This helps preserve sightlines for drivers and pedestrians and maintains an open, welcoming look. These fences are typically more decorative than functional. Always check with your local building department or HOA, as height limits and setback requirements can vary by location.
Standard back yard fences are typically allowed up to 6 feet tall, which is ideal for privacy, security, and noise reduction. In some areas, you may be able to build up to 8 feet with special permits or under certain conditions. Local zoning laws or HOA rules may set specific limits, so it’s important to confirm before starting your project.
Generally speaking, fences will be built to a maximum height of 6-8 ft.
Just as with many other construction activities, building a fence is regulated locally. There is currently no set statewide or national standard for allowed residential fence height, therefore it will vary from one location to the next, sometimes it may vary even within the same city.
The City and County planning departments are the authorities who enforce these code restrictions and the ones who issue the corresponding permits when needed.
Many cities will allow a 6 ft high fence to be erected within the sides and back of a residential property without the need of a permit, other locations will allow up to 7 ft or even 8 ft specifically for the rear fence. For the front yard, the maximum height allowed is generally much less, typically between 3-4 ft. But some other places will always require either a building or zoning permit regardless of the fence height so it's always important to check with your local planning departments first.
There are also special regulations for corner lots where a visibility triangle needs to be taken into consideration, to allow transiting vehicles and pedestrians to notice any incoming subject around the corner. In the case of pools for safety reasons not only is the maximum height regulated but also the minimum.
In some cases regulations also take into consideration the transparency of the fence, allowing it to go an extra foot higher if the fence is partially or completely open in order to ensure additional visibility.
To measure fence height accurately, follow these simple steps:
Always check with your city or HOA for specific rules on how they define and enforce fence height.
In the lumber industry, there is a slight mismatch between the nominal dimensions and the actual measurements for wooden boards.
Nominal measurements are traditionally referred to the size of the board when it was first rough cut, this is before the wood undergoes any process, before any drying or planning takes place.
These nominal dimension tags that are given initially, continue to be used throughout the board's life for identification purposes, although the actual size may correspond to a slightly smaller measurement.
Please allow a small tolerance if there's a few inches difference in the final measurements as this is just part of the industry standard.
There are many reasons why it's highly advisable to build within city regulations, not only can the City or County impose hefty fees and fines, but they can also order the complete replacement for a fence that is out of code. Which entails having to incur in the additional costs of tearing down the fence, disposing of it and having to rebuild a new one.
Remember that for each property, it's the owner's responsibility to make sure the fence is up to code as they will be personally liable for any transgression. If you're planning on opting for a finish height that exceeds the maximum allowed by your local regulations, make sure you have the permit issued and ready before the construction starts.
If you have doubts regarding the maximum fence height allowed in your area, you can give us a call or contact your local planning department.
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