What are the rules for installing a residential fence?

There are a number of rules and guidelines governing the installation of a new fence.  No fence, wall, or hedge over four feet high may be located within five feet of any property line within the required front yard, which is typically the first 40 feet from the front property line.  Your front property line is not the curb or edge of the street:  it is typically 12 feet from the curb or edge of pavement, but can vary from street to street (follow this link to view a diagram explaining fences).

No fencing is allowed within the street right-of-way, which is generally the first 12 feet from the curb or edge of the street, and no fence, wall, or hedge that obscures the vision of motorists or pedestrians can be located within ten feet of the intersection of any driveway edge and the front property line (not the curb or edge of the street).

Fences, walls, or hedges up to six feet high may be located within the required front yard if they are set back five feet from the property line for each additional foot of height above four feet.  No fence, wall, or hedge exceeding six feet in height may be located within any required side or rear yard.

Many stockade fences have a distinct front and back side, with the front being the more attractive of the two sides.  There is no requirement as to which side faces the street or your neighbors, but common courtesy dictates that the front of the fence faces outwards.

Fences can be placed up to the property line but you must know where the property boundaries are (property survey, boundary markers – pins or monuments).  We recommend that you verify the property line with your neighbor before you begin the work to avoid any disputes.

No permit is required for a fence but it must be in installed accordance with Sections 3.1.2B and 14.1.8 of the Windsor Zoning Regulations.

3.1.2B  Fences, Walls and Hedges

  1. Residential Fences, Walls, and Hedges
    1. No fence, wall, or hedge in excess of four feet in height may be located within five feet of any property line within the required front yard.  Higher fences, walls, or hedges up to a maximum height of six feet may be erected within the required front yard if they are set back five feet from the property line for each additional foot of height.
    2. No fence, wall, or hedge exceeding six feet in height may be located within any required side or rear yard.
    3. No fence, wall, or hedge that obscures the vision of motorists or pedestrians shall be located within a ten-foot radius of the intersection of any driveway edge and a street property line (see Appendix 1, page 6).
  2. Non-Residential Fences, Walls, and Hedges

Fences that do not obscure the vision of motorists or pedestrians may be built to a height of eight feet.  Other types of fences, walls, or hedges shall be no greater than six feet in height.

14.1.8  Visibility at Intersections

To maintain a clear line of sight for motorists at intersections, no wall, fence, structure, planting, or other visual obstruction exceeding a height of two feet above the street grade (except for trees with a clearance of at least six feet below the canopy) shall be located within the triangular area formed by two lines measuring 35 feet along each intersecting street line from the point of their intersection and a straight line or hypotenuse connecting those lines (see diagram).

If the Zoning Enforcement Officer determines that a property is in violation of this Section, he/she shall order the property owner to bring the property into compliance within 15 days.