City of Rhinelander fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Rhinelander? Yes. The City of Rhinelander 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 Rhinelander (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
- 6 feet within ten feet of the rear lot line; 8 feet elsewhere on the lot source
- Front (street) yard
- 4 feet in the front or street side yard setback (must allow air, light and visibility and be decorative; no wire or chain link) source
- Corner lots
- Street side yard: 4 feet. Vision clearance triangle at intersections: nothing between 30 inches and eight feet in height, 10 feet back (streets with right-of-way under 66 feet, and all driveways) or 20 feet back (right-of-way 66 feet or more) source
- Distance from lot line
- The fence must be located within the property it is intended to serve; the Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector may require a plat of survey to verify the exact location. No other lot-line setback is stated. source
- Good side faces
- The more finished side shall face toward the adjoining property or right-of-way. source
- Not allowed
- Wire or chain link in front and street side yards; thorny hedges; exposed or reflective solid metal fencing; electric-shock fences (invisible pet fences allowed); barbed wire and similar cutting wire (only allowed atop certain security fences in nonresidential districts). source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Rhinelander
Steps based on rhinelanderwi.us — residential permits
- Check the height limits: 4 ft in the front or street side yard (decorative and see-through, no wire or chain link), 6 ft in the interior side yard and within 10 ft of the rear lot line, 8 ft elsewhere.
- Make sure the fence is entirely on your own property; the City may require a plat of survey.
- Fill out and sign the City of Rhinelander residential permit application (SAFEbuilt fillable form).
- Create an account and upload the application on the City's Community Core permit portal.
- When the permit is ready for payment, pay online by card or check through SAFEbuilt, or by cash or check (payable to City of Rhinelander, site address in the memo) at the Clerk's Office, 135 S Stevens St. Pay within 30 days of approval.
- Do not start work until the permit is issued. Request inspections at [email protected] or 262-420-4732.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- Online by credit/debit card or check through SAFEbuilt once the permit is ready for payment, or cash/check payable to City of Rhinelander at the Clerk's Office; due within 30 days of approval
- Review time
- Up to 10 business days (longer if incomplete)
- Inspections
- Request by email ([email protected]) or phone (262-420-4732); requests by 4pm are scheduled for the next day if needed
Who to contact
Lisa Held
SAFEbuilt Office Manager, Permit Tech Services (City of Rhinelander residential permits)
- Phone
- 262-202-2173
- [email protected]
- Hours
- City Clerk's Office: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (City Hall 715-365-8600, Inspection ext. 8)
- Address
- City Clerk's Office (payments), 135 S Stevens St, Rhinelander, WI 54501
Contact from rhinelanderwi.us — residential permits
What to submit
- Signed residential permit application (fillable City of Rhinelander/SAFEbuilt form), uploaded to the Community Core portal
- Plat of survey if the Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector requires one to verify the fence location
Other rules to know
- The City's Inspection Department page lists 'Fences and pools' among projects that require permits, and the Inspection/Zoning FAQ lists 'Fence (this includes install and repair that involves replacement)'.
- No permit is required for a temporary fence. Temporary fences may stay up for the length of construction, or 180 days if not tied to a project; snow fences must come down by May 15.
- Fences built before May 18, 2021 may be maintained under the nonconforming-structure rules (Sec. 5.07.11.04).
- Residential permits are issued and inspected by SAFEbuilt for the City. The old PSN payment portal is deactivated Aug 31, 2026.
- The City does not locate property irons or survey private property; hire a Licensed Land Surveyor if you are unsure where the line is.
- Fences must be structurally sound, in good repair and neat; hedges must be trimmed to stay on the owner's property and below the height limit.
- Fee: the City says building permit fees vary with the complexity of the project and are set in the City fee schedule (Fee Schedule as of 12-8-25), which could not be opened here. Payment is due within 30 days of approval or the application becomes void.
Before you dig
Call Diggers Hotline at 811 (or file online at diggershotline.com) at least 3 business days before digging post holes. 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 Rhinelander, WI?
Yes. The City of Rhinelander requires a permit before you build a fence. No permit is required for a temporary fence. Temporary fences may stay up for the length of construction, or 180 days if not tied to a project; snow fences must come down by May 15.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Rhinelander?
Side and rear yards: 6 feet within ten feet of the rear lot line; 8 feet elsewhere on the lot. Front (street) yard: 4 feet in the front or street side yard setback (must allow air, light and visibility and be decorative; no wire or chain link). Corner lots: Street side yard: 4 feet. Vision clearance triangle at intersections: nothing between 30 inches and eight feet in height, 10 feet back (streets with right-of-way under 66 feet, and all driveways) or 20 feet back (right-of-way 66 feet or more).
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Rhinelander?
The fence must be located within the property it is intended to serve; the Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector may require a plat of survey to verify the exact location. No other lot-line setback is stated.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Rhinelander?
The more finished side shall face toward the adjoining property or right-of-way.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Rhinelander?
Check the height limits: 4 ft in the front or street side yard (decorative and see-through, no wire or chain link), 6 ft in the interior side yard and within 10 ft of the rear lot line, 8 ft elsewhere. Make sure the fence is entirely on your own property; the City may require a plat of survey. Fill out and sign the City of Rhinelander residential permit application (SAFEbuilt fillable form). Create an account and upload the application on the City's Community Core permit portal. When the permit is ready for payment, pay online by card or check through SAFEbuilt, or by cash or check (payable to City of Rhinelander, site address in the memo) at the Clerk's Office, 135 S Stevens St. Pay within 30 days of approval. buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Rhinelander (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Rhinelander?
Lisa Held, SAFEbuilt Office Manager, Permit Tech Services (City of Rhinelander residential permits). Phone 262-202-2173, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Rhinelander's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the City of Rhinelander? 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.