Town of Fountain Hills fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Town of Fountain Hills? Yes. The Town of Fountain Hills 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 Town of Fountain Hills (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 outside front and street-side yards source
- Front (street) yard
- Walls, fences and hedges over 3 ft 6 in high may not be closer to the front or street-side property line than the required setback source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences/walls over 3 ft 6 in may not be nearer to the front or street-side property line than the required front/street-side building setback line. source
- Good side faces
- Exterior finishes must be paint, stucco, decorative block or similar finish approved by the Zoning Administrator. source
- Not allowed
- Materials must be in good repair and of conventional design. Golf ball fences cannot be in front or street-side setbacks and need an Administrative Use Permit. source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
How to file for a fence permit in the Town of Fountain Hills
Steps based on fountainhillsaz.gov — Building Permit Forms
- Confirm your fence is over 30 inches high (shorter fences are exempt from a building permit).
- Check height rules: over 3 ft 6 in not allowed in the front/street-side setback; 6 ft maximum elsewhere.
- Apply online through the TOPPS (Access TOPPS) portal; the Town accepts applications online only. Masonry wall detail sheets (4-inch and 8-inch) are on the Building Permit Forms page.
- Pay fees as set by Council resolution/annual budget; call Building Safety with questions.
- Call Arizona 811 at least two full working days before digging.
- Paying
- Permit fees set by Council resolution or annual budget
- Inspections
- Required inspections list on Town site
Who to contact
Building Safety
Development Services
- Phone
- 480-816-5123
- Hours
- 7am - 6pm Monday - Thursday (Town office schedule)
- Address
- Town Hall, 16705 E Avenue of Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Contact from fountainhillsaz.gov — Building Permit Forms
What to submit
- Permit application submitted online through TOPPS
- Masonry wall detail (4-inch or 8-inch) if building a masonry wall
Other rules to know
- Town building code (Ordinance 25-06, effective September 1, 2025): a permit is not required for fences not over 30 inches high; retaining walls under 2 ft (footing to top) are exempt unless they support a surcharge.
- Retaining walls in front/street-side yards may reach 6 ft only if sight lines are not obstructed and a clear zone is approved by the Town Engineer.
- Fences above standard height for schools, public institutions or industrial districts need a Special Use Permit.
- Pool barrier top must be at least 60 inches above grade.
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 Town of Fountain Hills, AZ?
Yes. The Town of Fountain Hills requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the Town of Fountain Hills?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft outside front and street-side yards. Front (street) yard: Walls, fences and hedges over 3 ft 6 in high may not be closer to the front or street-side property line than the required setback.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Town of Fountain Hills?
Fences/walls over 3 ft 6 in may not be nearer to the front or street-side property line than the required front/street-side building setback line.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the Town of Fountain Hills?
Exterior finishes must be paint, stucco, decorative block or similar finish approved by the Zoning Administrator.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Town of Fountain Hills?
Confirm your fence is over 30 inches high (shorter fences are exempt from a building permit). Check height rules: over 3 ft 6 in not allowed in the front/street-side setback; 6 ft maximum elsewhere. Apply online through the TOPPS (Access TOPPS) portal; the Town accepts applications online only. Masonry wall detail sheets (4-inch and 8-inch) are on the Building Permit Forms page. Pay fees as set by Council resolution/annual budget; call Building Safety with questions. 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 Town of Fountain Hills (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Town of Fountain Hills?
Building Safety, Development Services. Phone 480-816-5123.
Sources
Summarized from the Town of Fountain Hills's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance Section 5.09 Walls and Fences
Work for the Town of Fountain Hills? 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.