City of Tucson fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Tucson? Yes. The City of Tucson 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 Tucson (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 (perimeter yard maximum, UDC 6.6.2.I) source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
Still being confirmed with Tucson: What are the front-yard fence/wall height limit and the fence permit fee?
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Tucson
Steps based on tucsonaz.gov — Residential Permits
- Use Tucson Development Center (TDC) Online; the TDC Online Navigator helps pick the right application type.
- Review the Residential Permit Submittal Requirements; plans must be neat, legible and well organized.
- Submit the application online. Fence permits are in the Fast Lane (15-day review target).
- Track the application, get email notices and pay in your TDC Online dashboard.
- Call Arizona 811 at least two full working days before digging.
- Paying
- In TDC Online dashboard (fence fee not listed)
- Review time
- Fast Lane, 15-day review target
Who to contact
Planning & Development Services Department
Residential permits
- Phone
- (520) 791-5550
- [email protected]
- Address
- 255 W. Alameda St., Tucson, AZ 85701
Contact from tucsonaz.gov — Residential Permits
Other rules to know
- All residential walls or fences require a site plan review for zoning compliance; walls and fences over 7 feet tall also need a building permit with a structurally engineered design.
- Engineered plans may be required if a fence or wall is over 6 feet tall or acts as a retaining wall. Shorter fences or walls may not need a full permit or inspection, but zoning review is always required.
- Historic Preservation Zone or Neighborhood Preservation Zone: Special District Review is also required.
- UDC 6.6.2.I: maximum height of a wall or fence within a perimeter yard is six feet; up to ten feet if on a retaining wall, if at least 75% of area above six feet is open, or with other approvals. Front-yard rules were not on the page read.
- Residential Permits page: all residential walls or fences need a site plan review for zoning compliance; walls and fences over 7 feet tall also need a building permit with a structurally engineered design. Submit through TDC Online; residential fences use the Fast Lane (15-day review target).
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 Tucson, AZ?
Yes. The City of Tucson requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Tucson?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft (perimeter yard maximum, UDC 6.6.2.I).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Tucson?
Use Tucson Development Center (TDC) Online; the TDC Online Navigator helps pick the right application type. Review the Residential Permit Submittal Requirements; plans must be neat, legible and well organized. Submit the application online. Fence permits are in the Fast Lane (15-day review target). Track the application, get email notices and pay in your TDC Online dashboard. 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 Tucson (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Tucson?
Planning & Development Services Department, Residential permits. Phone (520) 791-5550, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Tucson's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Tucson UDC 6.6.2 Accessory Buildings and Structures (I. walls and fences in perimeter yards)
Work for the City of Tucson? 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.