City of West Columbia fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of West Columbia? Yes. The City of West Columbia 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 the City of West Columbia (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
- 7 ft permitted outright (Sec. 609.5) source
- Front (street) yard
- Over 36 inches not allowed in a required front yard if it substantially impedes vision; taller by special exception (Sec. 609.4-609.5) source
- Corner lots
- No fence in the sight area at intersections between 2.5 and 10 ft above pavement; 25 ft from the intersection in residential districts (Sec. 606) source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
Still being confirmed with West Columbia: Is there a fence permit fee, and does the zoning permit (Sec. 1001) apply to fences?
How to file for a fence permit in the City of West Columbia
Steps based on westcolumbiasc.gov
- Register for an account on the city Permit Portal (staff approve new accounts).
- Submit the Fence/Wall building permit application online, or use the fillable Building Permit Application PDF.
- City reviews typically take 10-14 business days; pay fees once approved and the permit is issued.
- Call 811 before digging.
- Paying
- After approval, via portal
- Review time
- 10-14 business days typical
Who to contact
Building Department
Building Department
- Phone
- 803-791-1880 ext. 183
- [email protected]
- Address
- 200 N. 12th Street, West Columbia, SC 29169
Contact from westcolumbiasc.gov
Other rules to know
- No fence over 5 ft within 6 ft of a neighbor's residential structure (Sec. 609.5).
- Over 7 ft in side/rear yards needs Board of Zoning Appeals special exception.
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 West Columbia, SC?
Yes. The City of West Columbia requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of West Columbia?
Side and rear yards: 7 ft permitted outright (Sec. 609.5). Front (street) yard: Over 36 inches not allowed in a required front yard if it substantially impedes vision; taller by special exception (Sec. 609.4-609.5). Corner lots: No fence in the sight area at intersections between 2.5 and 10 ft above pavement; 25 ft from the intersection in residential districts (Sec. 606).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of West Columbia?
Register for an account on the city Permit Portal (staff approve new accounts). Submit the Fence/Wall building permit application online, or use the fillable Building Permit Application PDF. City reviews typically take 10-14 business days; pay fees once approved and the permit is issued. 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 West Columbia (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of West Columbia?
Building Department, Building Department. Phone 803-791-1880 ext. 183, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of West Columbia's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Ordinance Sec. 609 Fences and walls
Work for the City of West Columbia? 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.