City of Longwood fence rules
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Longwood? No. The City of Longwood 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 the City of Longwood's rules before you build. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- No (typical residential fence) source
- Side and rear yards
- 8 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- 42 inches in a front yard (predominantly transparent wrought iron up to 6 ft) source
- Corner lots
- May not block visibility at intersections (LDC 3.8.0) source
- Distance from lot line
- At least 12 inches from the back of a public sidewalk; not in public or private easements without written permission; may sit on or inside the property line. source
- Good side faces
- Posts face the inside of the property; where structure is on both sides, a finished side faces neighbors or the right-of-way. source
- Not allowed
- Sheet metal or salvage materials; barbed wire, electrified fences (invisible dog fences excepted), plain wire mesh and field fencing. source
- How to apply
- Call 407-260-3467 source
Still being confirmed with Longwood: Is Felicia Green (407-260-3467) still Longwood's building permits contact?
How to build within the rules in the City of Longwood
- Wood, vinyl or chain link fence on a single-family or duplex lot? No building permit is needed; just follow the height and placement rules.
- Masonry, concrete, wrought iron, a pool barrier, a powered gate, or replacing more than half a fence? Contact Longwood Building Permits (407-260-3467) for a permit.
- Keep front-yard fences to 42 inches and side/rear fences to 8 ft, at least 12 inches back from sidewalks.
- Call Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging.
Who to contact
Felicia Green
Building Permits
- Phone
- 407-260-3467
- [email protected]
- Address
- City Hall, 175 West Warren Avenue, Longwood, FL 32750
Contact from seminolecountyfl.gov — quickfacts cityoverviewlongwood
Other rules to know
- No building permit is needed on single-family or duplex lots for treated wood, vinyl or chain link fences; a permit IS needed for concrete, wrought iron, masonry or block fences, pool barriers, powered or vehicular gates, fencing vacant property, or replacing more than 50% of a fence's length.
- Allowed perimeter materials: aluminum, treated wood, masonry, wrought iron and vinyl; chain link only where the code allows it (including LDR and MDR lots).
- Historic district: fences white (wrought iron may be black), front-yard opacity max 60%.
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 Longwood, FL?
No. The City of Longwood does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply. No building permit is needed on single-family or duplex lots for treated wood, vinyl or chain link fences; a permit IS needed for concrete, wrought iron, masonry or block fences, pool barriers, powered or vehicular gates, fencing vacant property, or replacing more than 50% of a fence's length.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Longwood?
Side and rear yards: 8 ft. Front (street) yard: 42 inches in a front yard (predominantly transparent wrought iron up to 6 ft). Corner lots: May not block visibility at intersections (LDC 3.8.0).
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Longwood?
At least 12 inches from the back of a public sidewalk; not in public or private easements without written permission; may sit on or inside the property line.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Longwood?
Posts face the inside of the property; where structure is on both sides, a finished side faces neighbors or the right-of-way.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Longwood?
Felicia Green, Building Permits. Phone 407-260-3467, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Longwood's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Longwood LDC §5.3.3 Fences
Work for the City of Longwood? 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.