Unincorporated Polk County fence rules
Do you need a fence permit in the Unincorporated Polk County? No. Unincorporated Polk County does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply.
At buildit.dog you can draw your fence on an aerial photo of your lot and check it against Unincorporated Polk County's rules before you build. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- No (typical residential fence) source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
Still being confirmed with Unincorporated Polk County: What are the residential fence height limits in the Land Development Code?
How to build within the rules in the Unincorporated Polk County
Steps based on polkfl.gov — permitting
- If the fence is masonry, has masonry pilasters, or is a solid fence over 8 ft, apply for a building permit through the Accela Citizens Portal.
- Call Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging.
Who to contact
- Phone
- (863) 534-6080
- Address
- 330 W. Church Street, Bartow, FL 33830
Contact from polkfl.gov — permitting
Other rules to know
- Chain link fences of any height and stockade fences up to 8 ft are exempt from a building permit.
- A permit is required for masonry walls, fences with masonry pilasters, and solid fences over 8 ft.
- Check the Land Development Code for prohibited fencing materials.
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 Polk County, FL?
No. Unincorporated Polk County does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Unincorporated Polk County?
Building Division (Bartow office). Phone (863) 534-6080.
Sources
Summarized from Unincorporated Polk County's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for Unincorporated Polk 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If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it.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.