City of Phoenix fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Phoenix? Yes. The City of Phoenix 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 Phoenix (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 source
- Front (street) yard
- 40 inches maximum for fences/walls within or bounding the front yard (Historic Preservation HP/HP-L properties: 3 ft) source
- Corner lots
- Fence over 3 ft may sit on the property line except within a triangle measured 10 ft from the street along the common line; no structure, fence or wall over 3 ft on a corner lot that conflicts with City Code 31-13 (intersection visibility) source
- Distance from lot line
- No fences or walls in the right-of-way. For assembled developments (PRDs, condominiums) a fence may sit a minimum of 10 ft and an average of 15 ft from the perimeter property line (6 ft maximum, 50 percent open above 40 inches). source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
Still being confirmed with Phoenix: Are residential fence permits filed through the SHAPE PHX portal (or on paper/in person), and what is the fee?
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Phoenix
Steps based on phoenix.gov — dsd trt pdf 00349
- Download and complete the City's Fence Permit Application (address, valuation, work description, fence length, height and type, owner signature).
- Check height rules: 40 inches in the front yard and 6 ft in side and rear yards, and keep corner visibility triangles clear.
- Submit through the City's Planning & Development channels; the City's SHAPE PHX portal handles single-family residential permits, but the pages read do not say fence permits are filed there, so confirm with Residential Building (602-261-8078, [email protected]).
- Pay plan review and permit fees (not listed on the form).
- Call Arizona 811 at least two full working days before digging.
- Paying
- Review and permit fees set by staff (amount not on the application)
- Review time
- See Planning & Development license times page
- Inspections
- Inspection requests: 602-262-7811
- Permit good for
- Temporary construction/security fence permits are valid one year only
Who to contact
Residential Building
Planning and Development Department
- Phone
- 602-261-8078
- [email protected]
- Hours
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
- Address
- Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington Street, Second Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Contact from phoenix.gov — contact us
What to submit
- Fence permit application (project address, valuation, description, hillside yes/no, total fence length, height and type)
- Owner signature confirming fence placement terms
- Contractor license and Phoenix tax information if a contractor is used
Other rules to know
- The City's Fences & Walls page links an "Apply For a Fence Permit" form and "Permit Requirements for Fences and Retaining Walls"; requirements are in the Phoenix Building Construction Code and Zoning Ordinance.
- The fence application says "Maximum height of 7 feet without structural design" and that the permit covers zoning conformance only; the owner must verify existing property lines.
- An older City brochure (June 2005) says fences and retaining walls over 3 ft need permits (PBCC 105.2.1) and hillside lots (slope over 10%) need a permit even if short; it may be out of date.
- Walls in a Public Utility Easement may be removed by the City or a utility at the owner's expense (2005 brochure).
- Height is measured from the higher of the adjacent finished grade elevations.
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 Phoenix, AZ?
Yes. The City of Phoenix requires a permit before you build a fence. An older City brochure (June 2005) says fences and retaining walls over 3 ft need permits (PBCC 105.2.1) and hillside lots (slope over 10%) need a permit even if short; it may be out of date.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Phoenix?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft. Front (street) yard: 40 inches maximum for fences/walls within or bounding the front yard (Historic Preservation HP/HP-L properties: 3 ft). Corner lots: Fence over 3 ft may sit on the property line except within a triangle measured 10 ft from the street along the common line; no structure, fence or wall over 3 ft on a corner lot that conflicts with City Code 31-13 (intersection visibility).
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Phoenix?
No fences or walls in the right-of-way. For assembled developments (PRDs, condominiums) a fence may sit a minimum of 10 ft and an average of 15 ft from the perimeter property line (6 ft maximum, 50 percent open above 40 inches).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Phoenix?
Download and complete the City's Fence Permit Application (address, valuation, work description, fence length, height and type, owner signature). Check height rules: 40 inches in the front yard and 6 ft in side and rear yards, and keep corner visibility triangles clear. Submit through the City's Planning & Development channels; the City's SHAPE PHX portal handles single-family residential permits, but the pages read do not say fence permits are filed there, so confirm with Residential Building (602-261-8078, [email protected]). Pay plan review and permit fees (not listed on the form). 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 Phoenix (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Phoenix?
Residential Building, Planning and Development Department. Phone 602-261-8078, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Phoenix's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 703 Landscaping, Fences and Walls
Work for the City of Phoenix? 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.