FENCE RULES – UNION (COUNTY), NORTH CAROLINA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within Union County, subject to local regulations.
This page applies to properties in the unincorporated areas of Union County; incorporated municipalities regulate fences under their own ordinances.
In Union County, residential fence standards are not presented as a single consolidated “fence code.” Fence-related requirements appear across the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in sections addressing setbacks and measurements, drainage and stormwater standards, flood damage prevention, and definitions. Separate historic district and landmark procedures apply where a property is designated as a landmark or located within a historic district.
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 Union County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Union County Building Code Enforcement, Union County Planning & Development, Union County Stormwater & Floodplain, the NC OSFM building code permit-exemption provisions, and the provided Union County Code of Ordinances historic district excerpt, as of February 2026.
GOVERNANCE
Union County fence-related rules for unincorporated areas are administered through county departments and adopted ordinances, including:
• Governing Authority: Union County Board of County Commissioners (planning policy context is administered through county planning functions).
• Primary Land Use Ordinance: Unified Development Ordinance of Union County, North Carolina (UDO).
• Building Permits and Inspections: Union County Building Code Enforcement Division (building permitting and inspection administration).
• Zoning Administration: The county’s zoning administration is tied to the UDO and is identified in county materials as managed through the county’s zoning function (including the Zoning Administrator role referenced in the Building Code Enforcement materials).
• Floodplain and Drainage Review: Stormwater Section within Union County Planning & Development (floodplain development reviews and drainage complaint response context).
• Historic District / Landmark Review: For designated landmarks or historic districts, the county code excerpt requires review and approval by the commission through a Certificate of Appropriateness process for exterior features including fences.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit: A Building Permit is not required for standard residential fences 7 feet in height or lower, per the locally adopted residential building code, as stated in the sources compiled for this page.
• Fences Taller Than 7 Feet: The sources compiled for this page do not state a permit exemption for fences taller than 7 feet.
• Floodplain Development Permit: The UDO states that a floodplain development permit is required before the commencement of any development activities within special flood hazard areas.
• Historic Districts and Landmarks (Certificate of Appropriateness): For a designated landmark or within a historic district, the provided county code excerpt requires an approved Certificate of Appropriateness from the commission before a fence is erected, altered, restored, moved, or demolished. The excerpt states this requirement applies whether or not a building permit or other permit is required.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with Union County Planning Department before construction.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Setbacks (Permitted Obstructions): The UDO’s setback measurement provisions include a table of “Permitted Setback Obstructions” that lists fences and walls as permitted within street, side, and rear setback areas.
• Street Yard Setback Treatment for Tall Opaque Fences: The UDO identifies opaque or substantially opaque fences exceeding 6 feet in height and located in street yard areas as being subject to setback requirements under the setback measurement provisions.
• Floodways and Non-Encroachment Areas: The UDO states that fences in regulated floodways and non-encroachment areas that have the potential to block the passage of floodwaters (including examples such as stockade fences and wire mesh fences) must comply with the floodplain standards applicable to those areas.
• Drainageways: The UDO states that no fences may be constructed across an open drainageway if the fence would reduce or restrict the flow of water.
• Setbacks From Property Lines: 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 Fence Height: The municipal code does not specify a maximum height for standard residential fences.
• Street Yard Height Reference (Opaque Fences): The UDO’s setback provisions reference opaque or substantially opaque fences exceeding 6 feet in height in street yard areas for setback measurement purposes.
• Corner Visibility / Sight Triangles: The municipal code does not specify a fence-related sight triangle or corner-visibility standard for standard residential fences.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Fence Materials: The municipal code does not specify permitted or prohibited materials for standard residential fences.
• Fence Construction Standards: The municipal code does not specify construction standards (such as minimum post depth, structural design, or fastening requirements) for standard residential fences.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Private restrictions, such as HOA covenants, deed restrictions, and private easements, may impose fence limits that are more restrictive than county rules.
The UDO states it does not interfere with private agreements and that the county is not responsible for monitoring or enforcing private covenants or agreements.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Review of fencing proposed within special flood hazard areas, where the UDO establishes a floodplain development permit requirement for development activities.
• Review of fences located in regulated floodways or non-encroachment areas when a fence may block the passage of floodwaters.
• Setback review implications for opaque or substantially opaque fences exceeding 6 feet in street yard areas, as referenced in the UDO’s setback measurement provisions.
• Investigation of reported drainage impacts where a fence is alleged to obstruct an open drainageway.
• Historic district or landmark review where a Certificate of Appropriateness is required for fences on designated landmarks or within historic districts, regardless of whether a building permit is required.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within Union 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 Union County Planning Department and Union County Building Code Enforcement Division and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from Union County staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.