City of Medford fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Medford? Yes. The City of Medford 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 Medford (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- $20.00 (Fence; site plan required) source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft (fences enclosing a swimming pool may be up to 8 ft) source
- Front (street) yard
- 4 ft in residential front yards source
- Corner lots
- 3 ft within 5 ft of a driveway, street or alley access (chain link with 2-inch or larger mesh exempt); only open fences in the Vision Clearance Triangle (Sec. 4.2) source
- Distance from lot line
- No required setback: fences, walls and continuous hedges may be placed in all yards, subject to the height limits. Where abutting lots in the same district have different height limits, the stricter limit applies to both. source
- Good side faces
- Finished surface (no exposed supporting posts or framing) must face the exterior of the lot; on double-sided fences each side counts as finished. source
- Not allowed
- Barbed wire and electric fences in residential districts (buried dog containment fences excepted). Fences must use material manufactured for fencing and be kept in good repair. source
- How to apply
- In person source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Medford
Steps based on cdn.townweb.com — Fence Install Guidelines
- Get the Building Permit - Remodeling form and the Zoning Permit Application (City Forms & Permits page or City Hall).
- Draw a site plan showing where the fence goes and its distance from your property lines.
- Turn the forms, site plan and $20 fee in at City Hall, 639 S. Second St. Allow up to 30 days for the inspector to respond.
- Don't start until the permit is issued (starting early doubles the fee).
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- $20.00 fence fee with the building permit
- Review time
- Allow up to 30 days for the inspector to respond
Who to contact
Robert Christensen
Building Inspector (Building, Planning & Zoning)
- Phone
- 715-748-4321
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Mon 8:00am-4:30pm, Thu 8:00am-3:00pm
- Address
- City Hall, 639 S. Second St., Medford, WI 54451
Contact from medfordwi.gov — city building planning zoning
What to submit
- Building Permit - Remodeling form
- Zoning Permit Application
- Site plan showing the fence location and its measurements relative to property lines
Other rules to know
- Starting work before the permit is issued carries a double fee; violations are $50 plus prosecution costs per day (2023 fee resolution).
- The Building Inspector's office hours are Mondays 8:00am-4:30pm and Thursdays 8:00am-3:00pm; appointments available by calling.
- Commercial and industrial fences may be up to 12 ft; barbed wire only on top of security fences over 6 ft.
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 Medford, WI?
Yes. The City of Medford requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Medford?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft (fences enclosing a swimming pool may be up to 8 ft). Front (street) yard: 4 ft in residential front yards. Corner lots: 3 ft within 5 ft of a driveway, street or alley access (chain link with 2-inch or larger mesh exempt); only open fences in the Vision Clearance Triangle (Sec. 4.2).
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Medford?
No required setback: fences, walls and continuous hedges may be placed in all yards, subject to the height limits. Where abutting lots in the same district have different height limits, the stricter limit applies to both.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Medford?
Finished surface (no exposed supporting posts or framing) must face the exterior of the lot; on double-sided fences each side counts as finished.
How much is a fence permit in the City of Medford?
$20.00 (Fence; site plan required).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Medford?
Get the Building Permit - Remodeling form and the Zoning Permit Application (City Forms & Permits page or City Hall). Draw a site plan showing where the fence goes and its distance from your property lines. Turn the forms, site plan and $20 fee in at City Hall, 639 S. Second St. Allow up to 30 days for the inspector to respond. Don't start until the permit is issued (starting early doubles the fee). Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days 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 Medford (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Medford?
Robert Christensen, Building Inspector (Building, Planning & Zoning). Phone 715-748-4321, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Medford's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: City of Medford Zoning Code Sec. 7.1(4) Fences (Ord. 1064, 11/2/21)
Work for the City of Medford? 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.