Fence Permit Requirements
by City — South Florida

Post-hole inspection required — additional trip charge applies. Dirt removal required on all jobs. Strict height requirements near waterways. Street-side fences must be set back 5 ft from right-of-way.

Engineering or Florida Product Approval (NOA) required for PVC and aluminum. Pool barriers must meet Florida Building Code. Opaque fences must be shadowbox or tongue-and-groove style. No vinyl chain link slats permitted.

Coastal properties require special review. Product approvals required for most materials. Front yard: 4 ft max. Side/rear: 6 ft max.

PVC, metal, and aluminum require signed and sealed plans by a Florida-licensed engineer. Equestrian zones have unique fencing rules — confirm zoning before estimating.

No fences permitted in required 25 ft front yard setback (hedges up to 4 ft allowed). Side/rear: 6 ft max. Product approvals required for PVC and aluminum. Post spec: 4×4, 8 ft long, 4 ft on center, embedded 2 ft in 10″ diameter concrete footing.

Fences must be set back minimum 3 ft from all street-side property lines in city-zoned areas. No fences in required sight triangles. No fences attached to seawalls. Front yard: 4 ft max. Side/rear: 6 ft max.

Coastal areas require higher wind-load ratings. Post-hole inspection checklist required. Front yard: 4 ft max. Side/rear: 6 ft max.

One- and two-family residential: 6 ft max. Fences not allowed in front yard or corner yard. “Good side” (finished face) must face outward. Easements require written consent from easement holder before installation.

Dirt removal required — added to cost automatically. Drainage and lake easement requires SBDD approval. PVC and aluminum require Florida Product Approval (NOA) or signed and sealed engineering.

Post-hole inspection required — additional trip charge applies. Dirt removal required. SBDD release may be required for drainage easements. Front yard: generally not permitted. Side/rear: 6 ft max.

Survey required. Visibility triangle strictly enforced. Product approvals required for most materials. Corner lots: 4 ft maximum height in secondary street setback area.

Front/street-side: 4 ft max, or 6 ft if set back 4 ft from street-side lot line. Interior side/rear: 6 ft max. Approved materials: treated wood, wrought iron/decorative metal, chain link, brick/masonry. PVC and aluminum require product approvals.

Front yard: 4 ft max. Must be set back 3 ft from sidewalk. Stockade and board-on-board styles NOT permitted. Chain link must be vinyl coated — galvanized chain link not allowed.

Dirt removal required — added to cost automatically. PVC and metal installations require signed and sealed plans or Florida Product Approval.

Dirt removal required — added to cost automatically. HOAs enforce strict architectural rules — HOA approval typically required before permit submission. Residential maximum: 6 ft.

Engineering may be required for certain materials. Coastal zones have strict wind-load requirements. Confirm whether property is incorporated or unincorporated before permit submission.

Strict hurricane-rated product approvals required. Front yard: 4 ft max. Side/rear: 6 ft max. Corner lots: 6 ft allowed if set back 5 ft from street-side with shrub buffer. Finished side faces street.

Survey within 1 year strongly recommended. Easement encroachments require utility letters before permit approval. Standard height rules apply.

Property lines must be shown clearly on survey. Oceanfront properties have additional coastal construction rules. Pool barriers strictly enforced. Historic districts may have architectural review requirements.

Special setback requirements for corner and cul-de-sac lots. Turtle lighting restrictions for oceanfront properties. Pool fences must meet Florida Building Code. Confirm setbacks before estimating.

Survey mandatory. Historic districts may restrict PVC and certain wood fence styles. Confirm material acceptability in historic areas before estimating.

Strict architectural review in many neighborhoods. HOA approval often needed before permit submission. Confirm HOA requirements before scheduling estimate.

Drainage easements cannot be obstructed. PVC and aluminum require Florida Product Approval (NOA) or Florida Product Approval listing. Confirm easement locations on survey before installation.

Major equestrian zoning restrictions apply throughout Wellington. Corner lot visibility triangles strictly enforced. Pool fencing strictly reviewed. Confirm zoning and equestrian rules before estimating.

Survey must be to scale. Photos of existing fence often requested as part of permit application. Product approvals required for most materials. Allow extra processing time.

Pool barrier regulations strictly enforced. Agricultural properties may have different setback rules. Confirm whether property is incorporated or unincorporated — this determines which department handles the permit.