City of Fort Lauderdale fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Fort Lauderdale? Yes. The City of Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Front (street) yard
- Set back at least 3 ft from street-side property lines in City-zoned areas (front-line fences only in the Riverland annexed area or Broward County zoned areas) source
- Corner lots
- Corner lots: nothing over 30 in above the crown of the road within 25 ft of the intersection; never in a required sight triangle source
- Distance from lot line
- Street-facing fences and walls at least 3 ft from the property line, with the strip in front planted with continuous hedges/shrubs (2 ft tall, 2 ft apart) and groundcover (6 in tall, 6 in apart), shown on the site plan. Never in a sight triangle; nothing but mooring devices on a seawall. source
- Good side faces
- The side facing a neighboring property or right-of-way must be finished; both sides if both are visible from a right-of-way (ULDR 47-19.5.E.4). source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
Still being confirmed with Fort Lauderdale: What are the maximum fence heights in side and rear yards, and what is the fee?
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Fort Lauderdale
Steps based on fortlauderdale.gov — 637456044331700000
- Check your zoning on the City's Property Reporter map and confirm setbacks with Zoning (954-828-6520, option 4, or [email protected]).
- Gather the items on the Fence/Wall/Gate Permit Checklist: application, signed and sealed survey with Zoning Affidavit, site plan with setbacks and landscaping, and plans or tables for your fence type.
- Apply for a building permit through LauderBuild.
- Record and post the Notice of Commencement before the first inspection.
- Call Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging.
- Review time
- Building, Zoning, Landscaping and (if applicable) Electrical and Engineering reviews
- Inspections
- Building inspections; Notice of Commencement must be posted before the first inspection
Who to contact
Zoning - Development Services Department
Permitting Services, Zoning
- Phone
- 954-828-6520
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Walk-in Mon-Fri 8-10 am (zoning plans examiners 8-10:30 am)
- Address
- Development Services Department, 700 N.W. 19th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Contact from fortlauderdale.gov — Zoning
What to submit
- Building permit application (plus electrical permit if any electrical work)
- Site plan showing the fence and setbacks to all property lines (unless shown on the survey)
- Signed and sealed survey with a completed Zoning Affidavit
- Signed and sealed plans for PVC or metal fences; Chain Link Fence Table for chain link
- Product approvals if required
- Temporary Structure Affidavit (notarized and recorded) if the fence is in an easement
- Completed Fence/Wall/Gate Permit Checklist
- Recorded Notice of Commencement before the first inspection
Other rules to know
- Plan review stops: Building, Zoning, Landscaping (not in Riverland Road or Broward County annexed areas), Electrical if installed, Engineering if in an easement.
- Wood fences up to 6 ft may use the Florida Building Code prescriptive design (4x4 pressure-treated posts 2 ft deep in 10-inch concrete footings, three 2x4 rails).
Before you dig
Call Sunshine 811 before digging post holes (dial 811 or file online at sunshine811.com) at least two full business 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL?
Yes. The City of Fort Lauderdale requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Fort Lauderdale?
Front (street) yard: Set back at least 3 ft from street-side property lines in City-zoned areas (front-line fences only in the Riverland annexed area or Broward County zoned areas). Corner lots: Corner lots: nothing over 30 in above the crown of the road within 25 ft of the intersection; never in a required sight triangle.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Fort Lauderdale?
Street-facing fences and walls at least 3 ft from the property line, with the strip in front planted with continuous hedges/shrubs (2 ft tall, 2 ft apart) and groundcover (6 in tall, 6 in apart), shown on the site plan. Never in a sight triangle; nothing but mooring devices on a seawall.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Fort Lauderdale?
The side facing a neighboring property or right-of-way must be finished; both sides if both are visible from a right-of-way (ULDR 47-19.5.E.4).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Fort Lauderdale?
Check your zoning on the City's Property Reporter map and confirm setbacks with Zoning (954-828-6520, option 4, or [email protected]). Gather the items on the Fence/Wall/Gate Permit Checklist: application, signed and sealed survey with Zoning Affidavit, site plan with setbacks and landscaping, and plans or tables for your fence type. Apply for a building permit through LauderBuild. Record and post the Notice of Commencement before the first inspection. Call Sunshine 811 at least two full business 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 Fort Lauderdale (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Fort Lauderdale?
Zoning - Development Services Department, Permitting Services, Zoning. Phone 954-828-6520, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Fort Lauderdale's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: ULDR Sec. 47-19.5 Fences, walls and hedges
Work for the City of Fort Lauderdale? 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.