City of Coral Gables fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Coral Gables? Yes. The City of Coral Gables 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 Coral Gables (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
- 4 ft; solid rear-yard walls up to 6 ft on lots with less than 75 ft of street frontage source
- Front (street) yard
- 4 ft (ornamental picket between masonry columns up to 6 ft with Board of Architects approval) source
- Corner lots
- Wire fences may not extend into any yard abutting a street source
- Distance from lot line
- Masonry or coral rock walls may go anywhere on the lot; wire (chain link) fences only along or within the rear setback and along side lines under conditions. Walls or fences in utility easements can be ordered removed at the owner's expense. source
- Good side faces
- Finished side faces the neighboring lot. source
- Not allowed
- Wire/chain link fences in yards abutting a street on corner lots and in MX districts; chain link only in specified galvanized/aluminum or vinyl-coated colors. source
- How to apply
- Call 305-460-5245 source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Coral Gables
Steps based on coralgables.com — 04 04 2025 FINAL IH PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR DS CH (1)
- Prepare the site plan, elevations, engineer's drawings and a current signed survey.
- Upload the drawings through the City's electronic permit submittal, following the Electronic Submittal Guide (permit type: FBC Residential – Fence/Gate/Wall/Retaining Wall).
- Plans are reviewed by the Board of Architects, Building, Zoning, Structural and Public Works.
- After construction, pass final Zoning and Public Works inspections (and Historical if applicable).
- Call Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging.
- Review time
- Board of Architects, Building, Zoning, Structural, Public Works, Historical if applicable
- Inspections
- Final Zoning, Final Public Works, Final Historical (if applicable)
Who to contact
Development Services Department
City of Coral Gables
- Phone
- 305-460-5245
- [email protected]
- Address
- Development Services Department, 427 Biltmore Way, 1st Floor, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Contact from coralgables.com — 04 04 2025 FINAL IH PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR DS CH (1)
What to submit
- FBC Residential – Fence/Gate/Wall/Retaining Wall permit application
- Site plan with setbacks (a survey can't serve as the site plan), plus elevations at 1/4" = 1' showing height, NGVD ground elevations, gates and pillars
- Engineer's structural drawings and calculations with linear footage and height
- Current digitally signed survey
- Color photos of existing surroundings, if applicable
- Unity of Title if the property spans more than one lot
- Walls: soil conditions letter from the architect or engineer
Other rules to know
- Height is measured from established grade or actual ground level, whichever is more restrictive; the Board of Architects may allow up to 12 more inches for topography.
- Reviews include the City Architect/Board of Architects, Building, Zoning, Structural, Public Works and Historical (if applicable).
- Pool safety barrier fences and gates must be non-climbable.
- Lighting or motorized gates may need an electrical sub-permit.
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 Coral Gables, FL?
Yes. The City of Coral Gables requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Coral Gables?
Side and rear yards: 4 ft; solid rear-yard walls up to 6 ft on lots with less than 75 ft of street frontage. Front (street) yard: 4 ft (ornamental picket between masonry columns up to 6 ft with Board of Architects approval). Corner lots: Wire fences may not extend into any yard abutting a street.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Coral Gables?
Masonry or coral rock walls may go anywhere on the lot; wire (chain link) fences only along or within the rear setback and along side lines under conditions. Walls or fences in utility easements can be ordered removed at the owner's expense.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Coral Gables?
Finished side faces the neighboring lot.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Coral Gables?
Prepare the site plan, elevations, engineer's drawings and a current signed survey. Upload the drawings through the City's electronic permit submittal, following the Electronic Submittal Guide (permit type: FBC Residential – Fence/Gate/Wall/Retaining Wall). Plans are reviewed by the Board of Architects, Building, Zoning, Structural and Public Works. After construction, pass final Zoning and Public Works inspections (and Historical if applicable). 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 Coral Gables (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Coral Gables?
Development Services Department, City of Coral Gables. Phone 305-460-5245, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Coral Gables's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the City of Coral Gables? 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.