Building a Fence in Saint Paul
What is required?
- A completed Fence Plan Review/Permit Application Form
- A survey or Basic Site Plan showing the proposed location of your fence
- Fee ($45for the first 200 lineal feet or fraction thereof and $15for each additional 100 lineal feet or fraction thereof)
- A variance to height or corner condition may be requested. See information under “What are the height limitations?”
Once your application has been submitted a Plan Examiner will review your plan for compliance with location and height requirements. Upon approval, you may install your fence. A fence inspection is not required, except in these cases: fences greater than seven feet tall, swimming pool fences, or barbed wire fences.
What forms will I need?
Click on the following links for each form:
Fence Plan Review/Permit Application Form; Basic Site Plan; Fence Variance Application Form
How do I submit a Plan Review / Permit application?
Email:DSI-BuildingPlanReview@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Applications accepted via email include General Building Permit, Fence Permit/Plan Review, and Demolition Permits. (NOTE: When submitting permit applications and plans via email, please be sure all attachments are pdf file format only. Please, convert PNG, JPEG, etc. files to pdf before submitting your application.)
Do not include credit card information on any applications submitted by email
Fax
651-266-9124
Mail
Department of Safety and Inspections,375 Jackson St, Suite 220,Saint Paul, MN 55101-1806
In-person drop off
Applications and plans may be dropped off at our office. They will be processed in the order received and will not be processed the same day.
Where can the fence be located?
The City of Saint Paul encourages you to discuss your fence with your neighbors before installation to help avoid a costly property line dispute. Your fence and all supporting structures must be located entirely inside your property line. The fence cannot be on the property line, on a neighbor’s property or on public property (boulevard, right of way, sidewalk area, etc.). It is your responsibility to know where your property line is, so make sure you have the property markers located before you install your fence. You may wish to hire a professional surveyorto identify your property lines,although it is not required for fences less than seven feet tall.The City of Saint Paul cannot locate your property markers and does not settle private property line disputes among property owners.
What are the height limitations?
Front Yard
Fences in the front yard shall be no more than four feet tall.
Side and Rear Yard
Fences in the side or rear yards shall be no more than seven feet tall.
Corner lots
On a corner lot at two intersecting streets, fences shall be no more than two feet tall in the triangular area of the lot, 10 feet from the corner, unless the fence is more than80% open (chain link). See figure.
A variance may be granted for fences that exceed height requirements. A nonrefundable variance application fee of $85 is required for each variance request. To apply for a fence variance, submit a completedFence Variance Application Formalong with a Fence Permit Application Form and in most cases, a Fence Variance will be approved/denied within 1-2 business days.
Swimming Pool Fences
All swimming pool fences are subject to a Fence Plan Review (see requirements above) and must be inspected by a city Building Inspector.
Swimming pool fences must:
- Be enclosed by an obscuring fence four feet tall on residential properties, or by a five-foot fence on properties containing three or more residential units or commercial structures.
- Gates must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch on the inside of the gate, not readily available for children to open.
- Gates shall be capable of being securely locked when the pool is not in use.
- Commercial and multi-family residential swimming pools require approval from the Minnesota Department of Health (651) 201-4500.
Barbed Wire Fences
All barbed wire fences are subject to a Fence Plan Review (see requirements above) and must be inspected.
No barbed wire fence shall be constructed within the city limits of the City of Saint Paul, except for police and correction facilities, unless the following conditions are complied with:
- No fence which uses barbed wire may be built inor abuta residentially zoned district or built on or abut a lot occupied residentially.
- Barbed wire, not exceeding 3 strands, may be permitted on the top of a fence; providing that the arms do not project over public property. The minimum height to the bottom strand of the barbed wire shall not be less than 6 feet from finished grade.
- In all cases where a barbed wire fence is requested, an application shall be made to the building official.
- A certificate of insurance indemnifying the City of Saint Paul shall be submitted with the application subject to the approval of the city attorney as to form and in an amount as set forth in Minnesota Statutes, Section 466.04.
Fences in Historic Districts
All fences in historic districts are subject to aFence Plan Review(see requirements above).
All fences in historic districts are also subject to a Design Review by theHeritage Preservation Commission (HPC)staff.
NOTE: You may apply for theFence Plan Reviewand the HPC Design Review simultaneously, but HPC approval is required before theFence Plan Reviewcan be approved.
FAQs
Fence Height and Permits
According to the California Building Code, Chapter 1, Section 105.2., a permit isn't required if the fence is less than seven feet tall. However, keep in mind that you must still follow any other applicable laws and ordinances. There are still rules about the design or placement of the fence.
How close to my property line can I pour concrete? ›
How close to my property line can I pour concrete? Generally, the municipality's law states this law, but what is constant is that the building line between your property and your neighbor's property must be at least 5 feet or 5 feet up to 6 feet before the abutting property.
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Los Angeles? ›
In the unincorporated Los Angeles County area, a freestanding fence or block wall may be constructed up to a height of six (6') feet without a permit. However, the Dept. of Regional Planning does have some restrictions on where that can be done.
How close to property line can I build an addition? ›
The minimum distance from the back and side property lines should be 10 feet and 3 feet from any easem*nt. For lots with a width of 50 feet or less, the distance from side property lines will be 5 feet. If the accessory structure exceeds 75 feet from the front line, the back/ sideline distance should be 3 feet.
How close to a property line can you put a fence? ›
How Close To The Property Line Can I Build? Fences are typically built between 2 and 8 inches from the line between properties. Some areas will allow the building of fences directly on the property line, but in this case, you'll have to cooperate with your neighbor and potentially share the cost of the fence.
Can Neighbours attach things to my fence? ›
The Law Regarding Fence Use
In general, your neighbour does not have the right to lean things on your fence without your permission. This is because your fence is considered to be your property, and your neighbour does not have the right to use it without your consent.
How close to property line can a driveway be? ›
In most cases, the setback around a driveway must be at least five feet on every side. You aren't allowed to build the driveway directly on your property line. Make sure that you recheck your property lines before you begin this project.
Do you need a permit to pour concrete in your backyard in California? ›
However, for larger or structural projects, permits and a licensed contractor are required. In California, pouring concrete on your own property generally doesn't require a contractor's license for non-commercial, small-scale projects.
Do you have to put lines in concrete? ›
Lines in concrete serve several functions. First, they do control cracks, but there's more. They also provision load transfer and isolate structures that end up performing differently. The placement of these seams is critical to prevent damage caused by shifting and uneven pressure points.
Can I replace my fence without Neighbours permission in California? ›
Other Fence and Property Line Issues
Before a household can move forward with constructing or replacing a fence, they must give the other homeowner 30 days of notice before work begins. That written notice must also include information on the presumption of equal responsibility for costs and maintenance.
Contractors who violate the law are subject to disciplinary action by CSLB, including civil penalty assessments of up to $5,000 per violation, an order of correction that requires payment of permit fees and any assessed penalties imposed by the local building department, and suspension or revocation of the license.
Do you need a permit to replace an existing fence in California? ›
Yes, when installing a new fence, removing or replacing an existing fence. Chain links, wood, wrought iron, retaining walls 2 feet and higher or garden wall 3 feet and higher require a building permit.
What is the good neighbor fence law in California? ›
The Good Neighbor Fence Act in California establishes the principle of equal responsibility for building, maintaining, and repairing boundary fences between neighboring landowners. It promotes cooperation and fairness by ensuring that costs and responsibilities of fence ownership are shared equally.
What are the fence laws in Los Angeles? ›
Under California's Building Code, you must obtain a permit before building a fence that will be over 6 feet tall unless the top 2 feet of the fence will be barbed wire. For a front yard fence, the maximum height is 42 inches. For a backyard fence, the maximum height is 72 inches.
What is the property limit line? ›
Real estate boundaries are generally based on county or city-defined guidelines. The property owner can use these lines as guidance when determining where to build or place things belonging to them, as well as to manage liability risks. Property boundary lines are often listed with the county or city assessor's office.
What are the rules for fences in California? ›
Generally speaking, California building codes set a maximum height restriction at 4 feet for front yard fences and 6 feet for backyards. However, as Palmieri, Hennessey, and Leifer LLP note, “If your properties are on sloping land, the height limitation may vary at different points along the fence line.”
What is the neighbor fence law in California? ›
The Good Neighbor Fence Act in California establishes the principle of equal responsibility for building, maintaining, and repairing boundary fences between neighboring landowners. It promotes cooperation and fairness by ensuring that costs and responsibilities of fence ownership are shared equally.
What are the rules for fences in Los Angeles? ›
Under California's Building Code, you must obtain a permit before building a fence that will be over 6 feet tall unless the top 2 feet of the fence will be barbed wire. For a front yard fence, the maximum height is 42 inches. For a backyard fence, the maximum height is 72 inches.
Do you need a permit for a fence in Ohio? ›
A fence 6 feet or less in height does not require a building permit, but the Zoning Code regulates the placement of fences even if they are less than 6 feet tall under certain circ*mstances related to safe visibility for motor vehicle operation.
