Unincorporated Prince William County fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Unincorporated Prince William County? Yes. Unincorporated Prince William County 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 Unincorporated Prince William County (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- $68.20 (zoning approval, single; FY2027 schedule effective July 1, 2026) source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 feet source
- Front (street) yard
- 42 inches in front yards and street-side yards of corner lots (R-4, R-6, RPC, PMR low/medium density); taller only if set back one foot per foot of height, max six feet at the property line where open space separates source
- Corner lots
- 42 inches in street-side side and rear yards unless set back one foot per foot of height source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences next to a pedestrian facility must be set back at least two feet from its edge; no fencing may restrict emergency equipment access; must not obscure required sight distances. source
- Not allowed
- Electrified and barbed wire fences in all residential districts; temporary or semi-temporary materials such as silt fencing or non-fabricated plastic (except construction erosion control). Front and corner street-side yard fences must be non-opaque (R-4, R-6, RPC, PMR districts). source
- How to apply
- Online portal, in person source
How to file for a fence permit in the Unincorporated Prince William County
Steps based on pwcva.gov — prince william county outlines zoning guidelines streamline residential fencing projects
- Prepare a full-size, to-scale house location survey plat with the proposed fence drawn on it.
- Apply for zoning approval online through the Development Services ePortal, or in person at the Development Services Building (appointments available).
- Pay the zoning approval fee.
- Call 811 before digging.
- Paying
- $68.20 single zoning approval (FY2027)
Who to contact
Zoning Administration
Prince William County Development Services
- Phone
- (703) 792-6830
- Address
- Development Services Building, 5 County Complex Court, Prince William, VA 22192
Contact from pwcva.gov — fences
What to submit
- Full-size, to-scale house location survey plat with the proposed fence drawn on it
Other rules to know
- Zoning approval is required for fences of any height in all residential districts.
- A building permit is usually not required, only if the fence is for swimming pool safety or pedestrian protection.
- HOA covenants may be stricter than county rules.
- Other residential districts and agricultural lots under three acres: six feet unless set back one foot per foot of height (Sec. 32-300.02.3(c)).
- Towns of Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan and Quantico are not covered here.
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 Unincorporated Prince William County, VA?
Yes. Unincorporated Prince William County requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the Unincorporated Prince William County?
Side and rear yards: 6 feet. Front (street) yard: 42 inches in front yards and street-side yards of corner lots (R-4, R-6, RPC, PMR low/medium density); taller only if set back one foot per foot of height, max six feet at the property line where open space separates. Corner lots: 42 inches in street-side side and rear yards unless set back one foot per foot of height.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Unincorporated Prince William County?
Fences next to a pedestrian facility must be set back at least two feet from its edge; no fencing may restrict emergency equipment access; must not obscure required sight distances.
How much is a fence permit in the Unincorporated Prince William County?
$68.20 (zoning approval, single; FY2027 schedule effective July 1, 2026).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Unincorporated Prince William County?
Prepare a full-size, to-scale house location survey plat with the proposed fence drawn on it. Apply for zoning approval online through the Development Services ePortal, or in person at the Development Services Building (appointments available). Pay the zoning approval fee. 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 Unincorporated Prince William County (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Unincorporated Prince William County?
Zoning Administration, Prince William County Development Services. Phone (703) 792-6830.
Sources
Summarized from Unincorporated Prince William County's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Ordinance Sec. 32-300.02.3 Fences
Work for Unincorporated Prince William 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.