Unincorporated Palm Beach County fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Unincorporated Palm Beach County? Yes. Unincorporated Palm Beach County 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 Unincorporated Palm Beach County (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 in the rear setback source
- Front (street) yard
- 4 ft in the front setback source
- Corner lots
- Must meet ULDC Art. 11.E.9.C minimum safe sight distance and corner clips at intersections source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences may be placed in front and side street yards; accessory structures generally may not sit in a required landscape buffer (fences there up to 6 ft per Art. 5.B.1.A.2). source
- Good side faces
- Walls must have a finished exterior (paint, stucco or similar) kept in its original appearance. source
- Not allowed
- Electrified fences and fences containing broken glass, spikes, nails, barbed wire or razors (non-residential exceptions only). source
- How to apply
- Call 561-233-5108 source
How to file for a fence permit in the Unincorporated Palm Beach County
- Ask Zoning On-Call (561-233-5200, [email protected]) about setbacks for your lot if unsure.
- Apply for a building permit for the fence with the County Building Division (561-233-5108); use the ePZB online portal to pay and track it.
- Keep the fence 4 ft in the front setback and 6 ft in side and rear setbacks; no barbed wire or electric fencing.
- Call Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging.
Who to contact
PZB Building Division
- Phone
- 561-233-5108
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Zoning On-Call 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Contact from discover.pbc.gov — Zoning OnCall
Other rules to know
- County Code Compliance lists fences among structures that need permits before they are erected. Minor repair or exact replacement of an existing permitted fence up to $1,000 (not pool barriers) needs no permit; 1 & 2 family fences are listed for Site Plan Review Permit.
- Height is measured next to the fence from the lowest grade on either side; grade changes at retaining walls can allow up to 6 ft in front and 8 ft in side/rear setbacks.
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 Unincorporated Palm Beach County, FL?
Yes. Unincorporated Palm Beach County requires a permit before you build a fence. County Code Compliance lists fences among structures that need permits before they are erected. Minor repair or exact replacement of an existing permitted fence up to $1,000 (not pool barriers) needs no permit; 1 & 2 family fences are listed for Site Plan Review Permit.
How tall can a fence be in the Unincorporated Palm Beach County?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft in the rear setback. Front (street) yard: 4 ft in the front setback. Corner lots: Must meet ULDC Art. 11.E.9.C minimum safe sight distance and corner clips at intersections.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Unincorporated Palm Beach County?
Fences may be placed in front and side street yards; accessory structures generally may not sit in a required landscape buffer (fences there up to 6 ft per Art. 5.B.1.A.2).
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the Unincorporated Palm Beach County?
Walls must have a finished exterior (paint, stucco or similar) kept in its original appearance.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Unincorporated Palm Beach County?
Ask Zoning On-Call (561-233-5200, [email protected]) about setbacks for your lot if unsure. Apply for a building permit for the fence with the County Building Division (561-233-5108); use the ePZB online portal to pay and track it. Keep the fence 4 ft in the front setback and 6 ft in side and rear setbacks; no barbed wire or electric fencing. 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 Unincorporated Palm Beach County (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Unincorporated Palm Beach County?
PZB Building Division. Phone 561-233-5108, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from Unincorporated Palm Beach County's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Palm Beach County ULDC Art. 5.B.1.A.2 Fences and Walls
Work for Unincorporated Palm Beach County? 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.