Town of Bay Harbor Islands fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Town of Bay Harbor Islands? Yes. The Town of Bay Harbor Islands 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 Bay Harbor Islands (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 (7 ft for privacy walls/fences abutting Kane Concourse); waterfront rear setback near the seawall at least 75% see-through source
- Front (street) yard
- 6 ft above average finished grade, at least 2 ft back from the front/street-side property line; only 3 ft of solid wall in the front setback, the rest see-through source
- Distance from lot line
- In front and street-side setbacks: at least 2 ft from the property line (landscaped strip) and out of the right-of-way. On a shared property line, written permission from the neighbor; footers stay on your property. source
- Good side faces
- Finished side of a wood fence faces the street or adjoining property; stuccoed walls need architectural features on both sides. source
- Not allowed
- Chain link or wire fences in the front yard setback; where chain link is allowed it must be green or black vinyl-clad. source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
How to file for a fence permit in the Town of Bay Harbor Islands
Steps based on zoneomics.com — Municipal code: chapter 1
- Prepare the permit application with a landscaping plan, finish sample and drawings (or photo/brochure for wood fences).
- Get your neighbor's written permission if the fence is on a shared line; walls also need design review board approval.
- Apply through the Town's online permit portal.
- Call Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging.
- Review time
- Town approval of height, type, design and location; design review board for walls
Who to contact
Building & Zoning Department
Town of Bay Harbor Islands
- Phone
- 305-993-1786
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Address
- Building & Zoning Department, 1045 95th Street, Trailer 3, Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154
Contact from bayharborislands-fl.gov — Building Department
What to submit
- Building Department permit application
- Landscaping plan (a hedge at least half the fence height along its length)
- Color or finish sample; wood fences need a scale drawing, photo or brochure plus a stain or paint sample
- Architectural drawings for walls (walls also need design review board approval)
- Neighbor's written permission for a fence on a common property line
Other rules to know
- The Town must approve the height, type, design and location before a wall or fence goes up.
- Pool gates must be self-closing with a child-safe latch at least 4 ft above grade.
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 Town of Bay Harbor Islands, FL?
Yes. The Town of Bay Harbor Islands requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the Town of Bay Harbor Islands?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft (7 ft for privacy walls/fences abutting Kane Concourse); waterfront rear setback near the seawall at least 75% see-through. Front (street) yard: 6 ft above average finished grade, at least 2 ft back from the front/street-side property line; only 3 ft of solid wall in the front setback, the rest see-through.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Town of Bay Harbor Islands?
In front and street-side setbacks: at least 2 ft from the property line (landscaped strip) and out of the right-of-way. On a shared property line, written permission from the neighbor; footers stay on your property.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the Town of Bay Harbor Islands?
Finished side of a wood fence faces the street or adjoining property; stuccoed walls need architectural features on both sides.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Town of Bay Harbor Islands?
Prepare the permit application with a landscaping plan, finish sample and drawings (or photo/brochure for wood fences). Get your neighbor's written permission if the fence is on a shared line; walls also need design review board approval. Apply through the Town's online permit portal. 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 Town of Bay Harbor Islands (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Town of Bay Harbor Islands?
Building & Zoning Department, Town of Bay Harbor Islands. Phone 305-993-1786, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the Town of Bay Harbor Islands's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Bay Harbor Islands Code §23-12(22) Fences, walls and hedges
Work for the Town of Bay Harbor Islands? 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.