City of El Mirage fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of El Mirage? Yes. The City of El Mirage requires a permit before you build a fence.
buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of El Mirage (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft (general residential limit) source
- Front (street) yard
- 4 ft in a residential front yard setback (open fences such as wrought iron or wooden rail may exceed 4 ft, except in the RA zone) source
- Corner lots
- No fence or planting over 30 inches above street center line grade in the sight triangle; on a corner lot next to a key lot, 3 ft along the rear and street-side lot lines for 10 ft from the curb or pavement edge source
- Distance from lot line
- Must be located entirely on private property unless the adjoining owner agrees in writing; fences and walls may be located in any required setback subject to the screening section. source
- Good side faces
- Walls with only one finished side must face the adjacent property or right-of-way. source
- Not allowed
- Electrical, barbed wire and concertina wire fences prohibited (except Employment/Industry Zone and approved utility/government facilities). Chain link/wire must be at least 11-gauge with no barbed ends on top. source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of El Mirage
Steps based on content.civicplus.com — 7b63606b 6e9a 4e4a b9f4 c82e2f1db7e9
- Fences and walls are handled as Engineering permits through the Permit Center (call 623-972-8116 with questions).
- Upload all required documents to the ELM Online permitting portal and pay all relevant fees; all plans must be submitted online.
- Wait for the completeness review (10 business days, then 5 business days for resubmittals), after which plan review begins.
- After the permit is issued, request your inspection through the city's Request a Building Inspection page or call Building Inspection at 623-876-2979.
- Call Arizona 811 at least two full working days before digging.
- Paying
- Pay all fees in the ELM Online portal at submittal
- Review time
- Residential lots under 10,000 sq ft: 10 business days for the first review, 5 for later reviews; lots of 10,000 sq ft or more: 20 business days for both (estimates)
- Inspections
- Request through the city Building Inspection page or call 623-876-2979
Who to contact
Permit Center, Development Services Department
- Phone
- 623-972-8116
- Hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (City business days). Building Inspection: 623-876-2979
- Address
- 10000 N El Mirage Road, El Mirage, AZ 85335
Contact from content.civicplus.com — 7b63606b 6e9a 4e4a b9f4 c82e2f1db7e9
Other rules to know
- Building permit required before building any fence, wall or gate except for permitted agricultural uses (154.100(A)).
- City fee schedule (FY26-27) lists no specific fence fee; 'All other projects' are 'Based On Value' (valuation $1,000 or less: $75). Whether this applies to fences was not confirmed.
- Special-purpose fences taller or different than allowed need a conditional use permit from Planning and Zoning (154.100(F)).
- Permit Center handout: fences and walls fall under Engineering permits, listed with buildings, gates and driveways. Submissions made on a Friday are marked received the next business day.
Before you dig
Call Arizona 811 before digging post holes (dial 811). Utilities have two full working days to mark their lines, so call at least two working days ahead. 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 El Mirage, AZ?
Yes. The City of El Mirage requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of El Mirage?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft (general residential limit). Front (street) yard: 4 ft in a residential front yard setback (open fences such as wrought iron or wooden rail may exceed 4 ft, except in the RA zone). Corner lots: No fence or planting over 30 inches above street center line grade in the sight triangle; on a corner lot next to a key lot, 3 ft along the rear and street-side lot lines for 10 ft from the curb or pavement edge.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of El Mirage?
Must be located entirely on private property unless the adjoining owner agrees in writing; fences and walls may be located in any required setback subject to the screening section.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of El Mirage?
Walls with only one finished side must face the adjacent property or right-of-way.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of El Mirage?
Fences and walls are handled as Engineering permits through the Permit Center (call 623-972-8116 with questions). Upload all required documents to the ELM Online permitting portal and pay all relevant fees; all plans must be submitted online. Wait for the completeness review (10 business days, then 5 business days for resubmittals), after which plan review begins. After the permit is issued, request your inspection through the city's Request a Building Inspection page or call Building Inspection at 623-876-2979. Call Arizona 811 at least two full working days before digging. buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of El Mirage (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of El Mirage?
Permit Center, Development Services Department. Phone 623-972-8116.
Sources
Summarized from the City of El Mirage's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Code 154.100 Fences and Walls
- zoneomics.com — Municipal code: chapter 7
- public.destinyhosted.com — 2765 FY26 27 Fee Schedule
- elmirageaz.gov — Apply For
- elmirageaz.gov — departments
- content.civicplus.com — 7b63606b 6e9a 4e4a b9f4 c82e2f1db7e9
- content.civicplus.com — a1a14476 a368 41ef abef 770747dd2d6c
- elmirageaz.gov — permit center
- elmirageaz.gov — Request a Building Inspection
Work for the City of El Mirage? 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.