Town of Smithfield fence rules
Do you need a fence permit in the Town of Smithfield? No. The Town of Smithfield 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 Town of Smithfield's rules before you build. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- No (typical residential fence) source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft maximum unless Town Council approves taller source
- Front (street) yard
- Over 3 ft and more than 75% solid not allowed in front yard (incl. along side lot line to front of main building) source
- Corner lots
- 30 inches max within triangle formed 25 ft from where right-of-way lines meet source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences are exempt from setback requirements. source
- Not allowed
- Electric fences and razor or barbed wire (UDO 7.3.10.1, with exceptions for farms and some security uses). source
- How to apply
- Call 919-934-2116 ext. 1112 source
How to build within the rules in the Town of Smithfield
Steps based on smithfield-nc.com — planning FAQs
- No fence permit is required per the Town's Planning FAQ; keep the fence within the UDO rules.
- Call Planning at 919-934-2116 ext. 1112 to confirm height limit and any project-specific questions.
- Call 811 before digging.
Who to contact
- Phone
- 919-934-2116 ext. 1112
- Address
- 350 East Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577
Contact from smithfield-nc.com — planning FAQs
Other rules to know
- Planning FAQ says no permit is required for fences but UDO rules still apply and violations are enforced.
- The zoneomics copy of the UDO (7.3.10.4) says 7 ft maximum, while the Town FAQ says 6 ft; confirm current height limit with Planning.
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 Town of Smithfield, NC?
No. The Town of Smithfield does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply. Planning FAQ says no permit is required for fences but UDO rules still apply and violations are enforced.
How tall can a fence be in the Town of Smithfield?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft maximum unless Town Council approves taller. Front (street) yard: Over 3 ft and more than 75% solid not allowed in front yard (incl. along side lot line to front of main building). Corner lots: 30 inches max within triangle formed 25 ft from where right-of-way lines meet.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Town of Smithfield?
Fences are exempt from setback requirements.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Town of Smithfield?
Planning Department. Phone 919-934-2116 ext. 1112.
Sources
Summarized from the Town of Smithfield's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: UDO Sec. 7.3.10 Fences
Work for the Town of Smithfield? 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.