City of Madison fence rules
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Madison? No. The City of Madison does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply.
At buildit.dog you can draw your fence on an aerial photo of your lot and check it against the City of Madison's rules before you build. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- No (typical residential fence) source
- Side and rear yards
- 8 feet source
- Front (street) yard
- 42 inches (front yard) source
- Corner lots
- 8 feet; exterior side yard fence at least 15 feet from exterior side property line source
- Distance from lot line
- Interior side and rear: may be placed up to the property line. Exterior side yard: minimum 15 feet from exterior side property line. source
- How to apply
- Call (256) 772-5644 source
How to build within the rules in the City of Madison
- No fence permit is issued; follow the Zoning Ordinance height and placement rules.
- Call the Building Department at (256) 772-5644 with questions.
- Call 811 before digging.
Who to contact
- Phone
- (256) 772-5644
Contact from madisonal.gov — faq
Other rules to know
- Building Department FAQ: effective March 1, 2017 the Permitting Division no longer issues fence permits; Historic District fences still need Historic Preservation Commission approval.
- Fences in an easement are at owner's risk; City may remove without replacement.
- 4-foot fence required around residential pools.
- Sight triangle: keep visibility clear between 3.5 and 8 feet (Zoning Ordinance 4-5-1).
Before you dig
Call 811 before digging post holes so underground utility lines are marked. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. County parcel maps can be off by several feet; if you're not sure where the line is, a licensed land surveyor can stake it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in the City of Madison, AL?
No. The City of Madison does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Madison?
Side and rear yards: 8 feet. Front (street) yard: 42 inches (front yard). Corner lots: 8 feet; exterior side yard fence at least 15 feet from exterior side property line.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Madison?
Interior side and rear: may be placed up to the property line. Exterior side yard: minimum 15 feet from exterior side property line.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Madison?
Building Department. Phone (256) 772-5644.
Sources
Summarized from the City of Madison's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Ordinance §5-7-2 Approved Setback and Yard Encroachments
Work for the City of Madison? Help us keep this right
If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Municipal staff reports are reviewed first. Please include a link to the current ordinance, form or fee schedule if you can.