City of West Palm Beach fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of West Palm Beach? Yes. The City of West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach (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 within required rear setbacks (8 ft next to commercial/industrial districts); hedges 10 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- 48 inches within the required front setback (6 ft fences/walls and 10 ft hedges along a designated collector or arterial on corner and through lots) source
- Corner lots
- No fences, walls or plantings between 18 inches and 8 ft high in the sight triangle, 20 ft along the front and side property lines source
- Distance from lot line
- No fence, wall or hedge within 3 ft of a fire hydrant or emergency connection. source
- Not allowed
- Barbed wire, electrical elements or other hazardous materials. Chain link or cyclone fences must have crimped tops. source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of West Palm Beach
- Apply for a fence permit in the City's Civic Access (EnerGov) portal; it goes through zoning clearance and building review.
- Plan for 48 inches in the front setback and 6 ft in side and rear setbacks, no barbed wire or electric elements, sight triangles clear.
- Pay the permit fees shown by the portal's fee estimator.
- Call Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging.
- Paying
- Through the portal (minimum $105 combined plan review and permit fee for projects up to $1,000, plus zoning fees)
Who to contact
Development Services
Building Division
- Phone
- 561-805-6700
- [email protected]
Contact from wpb.org — Permits FAQ
Other rules to know
- Zoning Code §94-302(a)(3): all fences, walls and hedges (except agricultural fences in ROS/W districts and temporary construction fences) must go through zoning clearance and building permit procedures. The City's Permits FAQ says fence permits are still required because the requirement comes from the Zoning code.
- Combined plan review and permit fee minimum is $105 for project value up to $1,000, excluding zoning fees; use the fee estimator in the portal.
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 West Palm Beach, FL?
Yes. The City of West Palm Beach requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of West Palm Beach?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft within required rear setbacks (8 ft next to commercial/industrial districts); hedges 10 ft. Front (street) yard: 48 inches within the required front setback (6 ft fences/walls and 10 ft hedges along a designated collector or arterial on corner and through lots). Corner lots: No fences, walls or plantings between 18 inches and 8 ft high in the sight triangle, 20 ft along the front and side property lines.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of West Palm Beach?
No fence, wall or hedge within 3 ft of a fire hydrant or emergency connection.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of West Palm Beach?
Apply for a fence permit in the City's Civic Access (EnerGov) portal; it goes through zoning clearance and building review. Plan for 48 inches in the front setback and 6 ft in side and rear setbacks, no barbed wire or electric elements, sight triangles clear. Pay the permit fees shown by the portal's fee estimator. 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 West Palm Beach (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of West Palm Beach?
Development Services, Building Division. Phone 561-805-6700, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of West Palm Beach's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: West Palm Beach Zoning Code §94-302 Fences, walls and hedges; §94-305(e) visibility
Work for the City of West Palm Beach? 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.