FENCE RULES – RALEIGH (CITY), NORTH CAROLINA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Raleigh, subject to local regulations.
The City of Raleigh administers fence permitting as a zoning permit process, with standards set primarily by the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The UDO includes specific requirements for fence height and opacity in setback areas, limitations near Thoroughfare rights-of-way, and placement restrictions related to easements and protected natural resource areas.
This page focuses on typical single-family residential fencing. If the jurisdiction’s adopted materials do not state a specific limit or requirement, this page notes that the code does not specify one.
Compiled From City of Raleigh Planning and Development published permit guidance for fences; City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance (UDO); City of Raleigh historic preservation (COA) guidance; and NC OSFM building code administrative provisions, as of February 2026.
GOVERNANCE
The City of Raleigh regulates residential fences through the Planning and Development department, including its zoning and permitting functions.
Fence standards are published in the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), including Sec. 7.2.8 (Walls and Fences) and related natural resource protection provisions that restrict fence placement in certain protected areas.
The UDO requires written approvals for fence placement within certain easements from the Public Utilities Director (City utility easements) and the Engineering Services Director (required drainage easements).
For locally designated historic areas, exterior work may require review through the Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC) and the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) process.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Zoning Permit Required: The City of Raleigh states that a zoning permit is required when a fence is installed on any property.
• Replacement and Change Triggers: For residential properties, the City of Raleigh states that permits are required to add or move a fence, or to replace 50% or more of an existing fence. A zoning permit is also required even when less than 50% is replaced if the project changes material, height, or location.
• Building Permit Baseline (State Building Code): A Building Permit is not required for standard residential fences not over 7 feet in height, per the locally adopted building code, as stated in the sources compiled for this page.
• Historic Districts and Landmarks: The City of Raleigh states that if a home is located in a Historic District or designated as a Raleigh Historic Landmark, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required to be submitted to the Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC), and approval may be required prior to submitting the fence permit application.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Property Lines and Encroachments: The ordinance does not state a setback requirement for standard residential fences from property lines; however, fences must be located entirely on the owner’s property and must not encroach into rights-of-way or easements.
• Tree Conservation Areas: No wall or fence can be located within any tree conservation area.
• Utility Easements: No wall or fence can be located within any City of Raleigh utility easement without prior written approval of the Public Utilities Director.
• Drainage Easements: No wall or fence can be located within any required drainage easement without prior written approval of the Engineering Services Director.
• Watercourse Buffers: Fences and walls must be located outside any primary watercourse buffer, where such buffers apply.
• Thoroughfare Right-of-Way Proximity: Additional limitations apply to fences and walls located within 20 feet of a Thoroughfare right-of-way and to certain fences and walls located between 20 and 40 feet from a Thoroughfare right-of-way.
• Utility Safety: North Carolina’s Underground Utility Safety and Damage Prevention Act requires the person responsible for excavation or demolition to provide notice to the Notification Center (NC 811) before digging. Notice must be provided not less than three (3) full working days before the proposed commencement date of the excavation or demolition. Notice expires 28 calendar days after the date notice was given.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• Front or Side Street Setback Height: Except in an IH district, a wall or fence not more than 6 and one half feet in height may be located in a front or side street setback if the opacity above 4 feet in height does not exceed 50%.
• Side or Rear Setback Height: A wall or fence may not exceed 8 feet in height in a side or rear setback unless it is located adjacent to a street, in which case it may be no more than 6 and one half feet in height if the opacity above 4 feet in height does not exceed 50%.
• Within 20 Feet of a Thoroughfare Right-of-Way: A fence or wall located within 20 feet of a Thoroughfare right-of-way must either be less than 42 inches in height, or be situated at least 15 feet from the edge of the right-of-way and screened with evergreen planting materials so that no more than one-fourth of the fence or wall surface area will be visible from the Thoroughfare within 3 years of erection.
• Between 20 and 40 Feet of a Thoroughfare Right-of-Way: Fences and walls more than 42 inches in height and located between 20 and 40 feet from a Thoroughfare right-of-way must be installed with planting materials so that no more than one-third of the fence or wall surface area will be visible from the Thoroughfare within three years of erection. The ordinance allows 40% of this plant material to be deciduous. Decorative fences that are more than 50% open are exempt from these provisions.
• Maximum Height Outside Setbacks: The City of Raleigh’s adopted materials compiled for this page do not specify a maximum height for fences outside of the setback-related limits described above.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Allowed Materials: Fences and walls must be constructed of high quality materials including one or a combination of the following: decorative blocks; brick; stone; cast-stone; architectural block; split-faced block; stucco over standard concrete masonry blocks; glass block; wood; wrought iron; composite fencing; wire; PVC vinyl; aluminum; or metal.
• Barbed or Concertina Wire: Barbed wire or concertina wire may be allowed in accordance with Sec. 13-3011.
• Chain-Link Location Restriction: Except in an IH district, chain-link fences are not allowed in any front or side street setback.
• Maximum Continuous Plane: The maximum length of a continuous, unbroken, uninterrupted fence or wall plane is 100 feet. Breaks must be provided through columns, landscaped areas, transparent sections, or a change in material.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Private restrictions such as HOA covenants, deed restrictions, and recorded easements operate independently of municipal requirements and may be more restrictive than City of Raleigh rules.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Fence installation or replacement activity requiring a zoning permit, including projects involving 50% or more replacement, or changes to material, height, or location.
• Fence placement proposed within a City utility easement or required drainage easement without the required written approval.
• Fence placement within a tree conservation area or within an area regulated as a primary watercourse buffer.
• Fence height, opacity, and screening conditions in setback areas, including the 6 and one half feet and 8 feet height limits and the 50% opacity limit above 4 feet.
• Fence height and screening limitations near a Thoroughfare right-of-way, including the 42-inch height trigger and screening visibility limits.
• Fence designs exceeding the 100-foot maximum continuous plane without required breaks.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Raleigh, based on publicly available materials reviewed as of February 2026.
In addition to local fence rules, certain North Carolina laws apply statewide. See Statewide fence laws in North Carolina.
It is not legal advice and does not replace official ordinances, permits, surveys, or professional guidance. Rules and interpretations may change, and application may vary based on zoning district, site conditions, easements, rights-of-way, and private restrictions such as HOA covenants. Before purchasing materials or beginning construction, confirm current requirements and any site-specific limitations with Planning and Development Customer Service Center and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Raleigh staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.