FENCE RULES – FORSYTH (COUNTY), NORTH CAROLINA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within Forsyth County, subject to local regulations.
This page applies to properties in the unincorporated areas of Forsyth County; incorporated municipalities regulate fences under their own ordinances.
Forsyth County’s published fence requirements appear primarily in the administrative materials of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division, with related land-use procedures and definitions located in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Unified Development Ordinances (UDO).
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 the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division published fence permit guidance, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Unified Development Ordinances (UDO), the City of Winston-Salem Planning Division public materials describing City-County planning administration, and the NC Office of State Fire Marshal building-code administrative provisions, as of February 2026.
GOVERNANCE
• Governing Authority: Forsyth County regulates residential fencing in the unincorporated county through a consolidated City-County land-use administration structure.
• Building and Zoning Enforcement: The Inspections Division of the Planning and Development Services Department is described as a City-County agency responsible for reviewing and inspecting building and zoning-related activities throughout Forsyth County, with stated municipal exceptions.
• Planning and Land-Use Administration: The Planning Division and the City-County Planning Board are described as consolidated City-County planning bodies serving Winston-Salem and unincorporated Forsyth County.
• Primary Land-Use Code: The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Unified Development Ordinances (UDO) are identified as the primary compilation of land-use regulations (including zoning and subdivision regulations) used for land-use administration.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit: A building permit is required for fences over six (6) feet in height. A building permit is not required for fences six (6) feet in height or under.
• Construction Documents (Fences Over 6 Feet): For fences over six (6) feet in height, the published requirements include scaled building plans showing an elevation of the fence and the footing design, with plans stamped/sealed by an engineer.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with the Land Use Administration (LUA) section of the Planning and Development Services Department before construction.
• Historic and Overlay Approvals: Where a property is within a Historic (H) or Historic Overlay (HO) District, or involves a Local Historic Landmark, the UDO describes a Certificate of Appropriateness process for exterior features that include fences, tied to permit sequencing.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Property Line Placement 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.
• 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
• Maximum Height: The sources compiled for this page do not specify a maximum height for standard single-family residential fences in unincorporated Forsyth County.
• Sight and Visibility Areas: The UDO defines sight easement triangles as areas on private property at street intersections and driveways intended to prevent structures or signs from blocking motorists’ view, with the defined sight area measured from the edge of pavement.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Fence Materials: The sources compiled for this page do not specify permitted or prohibited fence materials for typical single-family residential fences.
• Engineered Design Trigger: Where a fence requires a building permit due to height, the published submittal requirements include engineered plans showing fence elevation and footing design.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Private covenants and HOA rules may regulate fences independently of Forsyth County requirements and may be more restrictive than local ordinances. The published Inspections Division materials describe HOA rules as separate from Inspections Division enforcement.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Building Permit Review: Review of fence construction when the fence is over six (6) feet in height and a building permit is required.
• Plan Submittal Compliance: Verification that submittals for fences requiring permits include the required engineered plans and details.
• Encroachments: Review of reported or observed fence placement that extends into rights-of-way or recorded easements.
• Historic/Overlay Review Sequencing: Review of whether a Certificate of Appropriateness is required and obtained before permit activity where historic district or landmark procedures apply.
• Sight and Visibility Areas: Review of obstructions within defined sight easement triangles where the code intent is to prevent blocked motorist visibility.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within Forsyth County, 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 the Inspections Division of the Planning and Development Services Department and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from Forsyth County staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.