City of Winston-Salem fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Winston-Salem? Not confirmed. Contact the City of Winston-Salem before you build; the rules below are what we found in the ordinance.
buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Winston-Salem (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Not confirmed source
- Fee
- $0.15 per square foot of fence, $100.00 minimum (plus $10.00 Homeowner's Recovery Fee for state-licensed contractors) source
- Distance from lot line
- No setback requirement; fences can go anywhere on the property except over easements or rights of way. The city advises staying at least six inches off the property line. source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
Still being confirmed with Winston-Salem: Does the city's UDO set maximum fence heights for front/side/rear yards (not found in the handout)?
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Winston-Salem
Steps based on cityofws.org — Fencing Requirements Fillable PDF
- Fence 6 ft or under: no permit is required under the city's handout (you may still choose to get one).
- Fence over 6 ft: get the Residential/Zoning Application and submit scaled plans with fence elevation and footing design sealed by an engineer. All permits must be applied for electronically (BuildIT).
- Pay the fee ($0.15 per sq ft, $100.00 minimum).
- Questions? Call Inspections at 336-727-2624 or email [email protected].
- Call 811 before digging.
- Paying
- Fee due per city fee schedule ($0.15/sq ft, $100.00 minimum)
Who to contact
Inspections Division
Permit Office, Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building, 100 E First Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
- Phone
- 336-727-2624
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 7:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m. (phone calls not taken after 4:43 p.m.); permit office closed first Tuesday of each month 8:00-10:00 a.m.
- Address
- Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building, Suite 328, 100 E. First Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Contact from cityofws.org — Inspections Division
What to submit
- Fence over 6 ft: scaled building plans showing fence elevation and footing design, designed and sealed by an engineer
- Residential/Zoning Application (also for fences 6 ft or under if you choose to get a permit)
Other rules to know
- The city's handout says a permit is required only for fences over six feet tall; fences six feet or under do not require one, though a building permit can still be bought.
- Homeowners' association rules are not enforced by the Inspections Division, but the city advises following them.
- Heights, finished-side and prohibited-materials rules were not found in official sources opened; the handout is undated.
- The Inspections Division page says it serves Winston-Salem and Forsyth County and enforces the Unified Development Ordinances for Forsyth County; the fence handout itself is on the City of Winston-Salem site and does not name the county.
Before you dig
Call 811 before digging post holes so underground utility lines are marked. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. 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 Winston-Salem, NC?
Not confirmed. Contact the City of Winston-Salem before you build; the rules below are what we found in the ordinance.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Winston-Salem?
No setback requirement; fences can go anywhere on the property except over easements or rights of way. The city advises staying at least six inches off the property line.
How much is a fence permit in the City of Winston-Salem?
$0.15 per square foot of fence, $100.00 minimum (plus $10.00 Homeowner's Recovery Fee for state-licensed contractors).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Winston-Salem?
Fence 6 ft or under: no permit is required under the city's handout (you may still choose to get one). Fence over 6 ft: get the Residential/Zoning Application and submit scaled plans with fence elevation and footing design sealed by an engineer. All permits must be applied for electronically (BuildIT). Pay the fee ($0.15 per sq ft, $100.00 minimum). Questions? Call Inspections at 336-727-2624 or email [email protected]. Call 811 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 Winston-Salem (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Winston-Salem?
Inspections Division, Permit Office, Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building, 100 E First Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Phone 336-727-2624, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Winston-Salem's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the City of Winston-Salem? 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.